In last week’s issue we published a story on how an on-ice incident during the Barrhead Bantam Pirates 1660 league playoff game against the Warburg Thunder on March 2 at the Agrena escalated to the point where a game official decided to notify police.
Since then we have received a of number of phone calls from both Warburg and Barrhead residents who believe, because of our story, that the team and the residents perceive them negatively, because of the actions of a few.
We disagree.
In the story we reported, what we observed, and reporter, Rick De Vries, through his column voiced his opinion of what he considered to be less than stellar sportsmanship, but that doesn’t mean everyone involved directly or by a tentative connection is being painted with the same brush.
For example if a Barrhead resident, commits a crime, in another town and it is publicized in the media, we as residents don’t take it as a slight on us, or our town. Nor should the possibility be used as an excuse not to point out poor behaviour.
That being said, let’s go over the facts, as we know them.
At or near the end of the third period, our reporter observed that a Warburg player illegally checked a Pirate player from behind. While physical play, particularly in the third period of a series whose outcome has already been decided as this one had been (Barrhead won the previous game and was leading 7-1 in the best-of-three series), is to be expected, but infractions such as elbowing, head-contact and spearing should be penalized. And that is what happened here — the referee penalized the Warburg player.
He then witnessed a verbal disagreement that occurred between a Warburg coach, who believed the Barrhead player should have been penalized for illegal head contact shortly before the above incident. A Warburg fan then added his verbal displeasure, with the non-call, to the argument between the coach and referee. The referee then ejected the fan from the game, and because of the nature of the verbal abuse from the fan, the referee decided to notify the police.
Abuse of an official should never be accepted, especially at this level. Period.
And kudos should be given to the 1660 League, who last season reiterated that they have a no-tolerance policy regarding abuse, and issued a warning that they would enforce the policy by removing teams who violate it, even if their fans committed the offence.
From our observation, it seems the warning has been taken to heart, because this season the Agrena has been a much more pleasant place to watch a hockey game.
As for the Warburg players not offering the traditional congratulatory handshake or fist bump after the game, it is disappointing and we as adults should use the opportunity to teach our children good sportsmanship.
