Don Taylor (VP)

Late in the game, Jason Pavich of the Raider gave Courtney Anderson of the Rockets a cheap shot that went unseen. Retaliation ensued, and as is often the case with retaliation, only the second penalty was called. Chirping was rampant and Anderson responded with an infraction that got him tossed from the game. The official chose a Game Ejection rather than a Game Misconduct (which would have carried an automatic 1 game suspension). No major penalty was called, which would have automatically demanded a suspension.

It is clear from the reports that both players took liberties that were not seen by the officials. Because no major penalties were called, it is unusual to call for a hearing. However, it is clear that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable in the RIHL, therefore the Disciplinary Committee has been called to rule beyond what was called by the officials.

From the official, Glen MacNeil:

I was the official in the defensive zone, along the boards to the right of the goalie, almost in the corner, and watching the play slightly to my left. Allegedly there was an initiating incident out to my right at the Blue line, by the boards near the bench. Between #2 (Pavich) of the Raiders, and the penalized Rockets player, #0 (Anderson). Whatever may have happened (unseen by myself), #0 of the Rockets dropped his stick and gloves and proceeded to chase the Raiders player, #2, around the defensive zone, grabbing him and ripping his jersey and helmet off, trying to get him to fight. Raiders player #2 did not fight back during this incident, but rather retreated, or "turtled" as some people say.

I believe not only myself, but also my partner, and everyone else in the rink saw this part of the incident with #0 chasing down #2.

When I saw it, I whistled the play dead and skated to separate the players. I got between the players, and ended up holding #2 (Raiders player) and leading him towards the bench and away from the aggressor. I advised my partner I only had the 2 min roughing penalty on #0 (Rockets) for the described "chase down and attempted mugging".

During the ruckus that followed, with lots of players yelling, upset, and tense. And while I was attempting to advise Len of the penalty. #0 (Rockets), although he had initially headed towards the penalty bench/his team bench, had wandered back out on the ice, over near the Raiders bench, and, along with an exchange of insults, engaged in some pushing and shoving with Raiders players on the bench.

Raiders players alleged he punched someone in the head. I cannot confirm that, as I only saw the "ruckus" off to the side as I spoke to Len. I can say that yes he continued to be the aggressor, and instead of continuing into the penalty bench and taking a seat, he did go back at someone on the bench. #0 Rockets was issued 3 penalties; - a 2 minute roughing minor for the initial "chase down & mug" attempt, - a 2 minute Unsportsmanlike minor for not going to the penalty bench & going at the other team's bench. - a "game ejection" penalty simply because we officials wanted him out of the game due to this incident, so as to avoid any further incidents.

From the Official, Ryan Saretsky:

It looked like #2 (Pavich) on the Raiders got a late hit in after #0 (Anderson) on the Rockets made a play... However I didn't really see it because I was watching the play which was made into the corner. All I really saw was #0 on the ice. He then got up all upset obviously, and went after the guy who hit him and we were able to break it up before anything too serious happened. He was then assessed a penalty and then while we were dealing with the players and Len... He somehow ended up on the ice again. And he blind sided #2 on the Raiders with a punch to the side of the face. He did have his glove on. After that he was assessed a game ejection.

From Ken Mattice of the Raiders:

In the 3rd period of our game against the Rockets Jason Pavich delivered a body check to Courtney Anderson of the Rockets. This occurred at the blue line of the Raiders zone. I am not sure what provoked this hit if anything. Courtney's reaction to the hit involved chasing Pavich down, dropping his gloves and ripping his jersey. I did not see any punches. Refs were in early. Courtney continued and would not let the situation go. He was issued a 4 minute minor and a game ejection. Pavich was not given a penalty due to the fact that both officials didn’t see the hit.

The biggest infraction here was that while the team captains and officials were discussing the issue at the penalty box somehow Courtney was out picking up his gloves off of the ice. While everyone was focused on the penalty box area he skated by the Raiders player bench and sucker punched Pavich in the face and continued skating to the Rockets bench. I personally witnessed the punch. It was a rear back and swing as hard as he could. I had an extreme difficulty containing players on my bench. Some were trying to jump on ice. I basically told them to stay put and the issue would be dealt with accordingly. Especially since Travis Taylor was standing right beside me as another team representative that witnessed the punch.

One of the officials also witnessed the punch. There was a lot of commotion going on at this time and Courtney was escorted off of the ice. The goal of the officials was to calm the situation and get the game going and get it completed.

At the end of the game the score sheet only showed Courtney's 4 minute minor. The officials both said that they would submit a report to Doug Collins. I was ok with that but said they should at least record the game ejection for now. Which Len did write in. The League has to take a hard stance on this. This kind of behaviour is not welcome in our league.

From Travis Taylor of the Rockets:

Late in the second period with the score 4-2 for the Raiders, a shot from the Raiders hit the post but the play was whistled down as one of the refs decided to call it a goal. Obviously this didn't sit to well with us as we were already losing the game and to be perfectly honest exhausted as we only had 9 skaters to the Raiders 15. Either way it was called a goal and the game proceeded.

Now its the beginning of the 3rd period and as he so often does Jason Pavich is "ACCIDENTALLY" skating full throttle towards our goalie with his head completely down. Our player Ryan Bellefleur sees this so he decided to stand his ground protecting our goalie but subsequently directing Jason to the outside of the goal. At this time both players knock the net off and the whistle is blown. No big deal right?

Unfortunately not the case. We are now lined up for the ensuing face off (myself included) and Jason Pavich is mumbling and chuckling to himself and our team about the play in the previous period that the refs decided to blow down and call a goal. Clearly Jason is not happy about being steered away form our goalie on the previous play so he feels this is a good way to voice his opinion. The only thing is, at this point in the game we are dead tired and pardon my French nobody on our team really gave a about this disturbed man's rumblings. I believe this only agitated him even more and s--- now he had made up his mind to "Pavich" someone. A term we have referred to when Jason goes off the deep end. The next whistle the 9 skaters we did have all made it very clear to be aware if Jason Pavich is near you have your head on a swivel as he has that psychotic look in his eyes. This may sound a little over dramatic but I say this with all seriousness as he has injured numerous players from our team over the past 15 years of playing beer league hockey. Courtney Anderson being one of them and has suffered a concussion on a vicious again "accidental" elbow and a serious back injury from what us hockey players like to call a slew foot. Another couple disgusting displays of sportsmanship which no hockey player in my opinion should ever evoke.

Now I take you to the before mentioned incident and I apologize for taking so long to get to the point but quite honestly my blood is boiling even talking about this man. As I recall it is now 6-2 with maybe 6 minutes left in a otherwise non spirited affair when Courtney Anderson(Rockets) skates the puck to the Raiders blueline and half heartedly dumps the puck in. Little to his surprise Jason Pavich after the puck is being rimmed around the boards has decided to take a healthy run and absolutely blindside body check him directly into the boards. For some reason the whistle isn't blown at this time and the play continues as I believe the refs were following the puck and never saw the hit. Once Courtney peels himself off the ice he immediately proceeds to confront Mr. Pavich where some verbal jawing takes place and Coutney is looking to settle the score like a man with a face to face confrontation. But of course like he has done time and time again he refuses to man up and answer the bell and hides behind his teammates and referees. With this being said I'm not saying ever player should have to fight an opposing player when called upon but if your going to be running guys from behind when your team is up 6-2 late in the 3rd period you should definitely be accountable. At least once in a while as this is the type of play Mr. Pavich exemplifies quite often.

As a result of his actions the refs tell Courtney his actions have earned him a penalty with nothing being called towards Mr.Pavich and I don't think I have to tell you how this makes Courtney feel. At this point he is livid and arguing his case to the refs when he receives a game ejection. Mr.Pavich who is now on his bench proceeds to mock, taunt and laugh at how angry Courtney has become and I believe uses the words learn how to take a hit you ___ loser. The only problem is this is suppose to be a non contact league. At this point Courtney skates towards the Raiders bench and decides to throw a half ass punch at Mr.Pavich. I believe this punch may have glazed the shoulder of Mr.Pavich but by no means caused any sort of injury as Mr.Pavich did not miss a single shift and did finish the game. The Rockets in no way condone the actions of Courtney but do definitely understand and sympathize where he was coming from especially with the past run ins that our team and Courtney has had in the past.

I would also like to add that once the game ended and we joined Courtney in our respected dressing room he was icing his back that was injured as a result of the dirty hit from Mr. Pavich. Furthermore he is not fit to play as he is currently seeing a chiropractor for his injuries. I understand if this sounds a little over the top but the Rice Rockets would be more than happy to provide patient records and/or receipts to back this treatment up. Maybe Mr.Pavich would like to pick up the tab on this one.

All joking aside Courtney was apologetic to our team for leaving us with 8 players to finish the game. However as I've stated previously with the injuries Mr.Pavich has caused to him and other players from our team it was quite hard for us to be disappointed with Courtney for slightly loosing his cool in this particular incident. I would also like to add that last year Courtney was a full time player on our team and had 6 minutes in penalties.

In conclusion the Rice Rockets would like to take a quote write out of the mouth of another well respected player in this league and that is Brad Swanson from the Blackhawks. I don't believe I have the email write in front of me but I believe it was with reference to the discrimination against Rob Williams a 15 year veteran of our team and also a man who has never been banned from any of the other 3 leagues we have played in. However for the time being is banned from all play in the RIHL. Brad's quote stated that the RIHL is men's recreational hockey and that there is no room for "garbage" as he called it as we all have to wake up the next morning and go to work. This garbage he is referring to is something that the Rice Rockets do not wish to see in the RIHL either. Furthermore I'm pretty sure Ken Mattice(Raiders) and the rest of the league are all in agreement with this "garbage" behavior being exempt from the RIHL.

In reviewing the reports and discussing the matter by email, there was little disagreement on what took place and why. Without any suspendable offense recorded on the game sheet it is difficult to escalate the penalties, essentially overriding or supplementing the referee call. However, consensus was that there is no room for this kind of activity in the RIHL.

There is no debate whether or not Anderson sucker punched Pavich. The real question was whether or not Anderson left the penalty box to do this. Indications from the referee reports are that he had not yet entered the penalty box, and that was confirmed by a verbal report from the scorekeeper. Regardless, this action was certainly worthy of the Game Ejection he received, but it is questionable as to whether or not it should have earned him a Game Misconduct (which carries a 1 game suspension). Had the referee seen the punch, he may have been inclined to issue a major, but that would be discretionary.

Whatever the case, the Disciplinary Committee felt Courtney Anderson's actions were offensive enough that a suspension was in order. However, the also unseen actions of Jason Pavich are not to be excused, which reportly left Anderson injured.

Jason Pavich has built a very negative reputation for himself amongst the players in this league and much of the disciplinary discussion was focused on him, rather than the player who's name appeared in the penalty column. (Pavich received no penalties.) The resounding message from the committee was that a suspension could not be issued to Anderson without the same or more being handed to Pavich. Both major offenses were not seen by the referee, so equal judgment is reasonable.

Jason Pavich instigated the incident with a dangerous action. Courtney Anderson showed poor discipline at the penalty bench area and demonstrated conduct unbecoming to a player in the RIHL.

The Disciplinary Committee moved that both players be suspended for 1 game, with all in favour. But more important than this mild suspension, both player are to be put on notice that any further incidents of this nature will be dealt with more harshly.

We are reminded that this is Jason Pavich's 4th suspension over the course of 8 years. Although he has gone 4 seasons without a suspension, any further incidents will prompt severe disciplinary action.

- Doug Collins
RIHL President

Jason Pavich - 1 Game suspension with a warning that any further suspension will result is severe disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the league.

Courtney Anderson - 1 Game suspension with a warning that any further incidents of the nature will result in a lengthy suspension.