Players discuss the damaged ice surface at Hull (Photo by Maxine Roscoe)
Saturday 28th
September – NIHL Laidler Division: Kingston
Sharks – Deeside Ducks (Abandoned after 20 mins)
The Deeside Ducks Laidler Division game away to Kingston Sharks was abandoned after a single 20 minute period had been played on Saturday evening at Hull Arena.
The home side had taken the lead 1m17 into the game and led 5-0 by the first period break. However, the surface of the ice was damaged during the routine ice cleaning operation between periods and it took over an hour for the rink staff to plug up the resulting hole and get the ice to freeze properly again.
With the amount of time lost - and concerns about player safety - the match was called off at that point and the remaining two periods were not played.
Ducks’ Lead Coach Peter Bleackley commented:
“We expressed concerns regarding player safety - but rules apparently state that both coaches have to agree that the surface is unsafe. Their coach would not as they don’t have any available dates to replay and they didn’t want to forfeit. I decided player safety was more important after the team sitting for more than an hour. The ref agreed.”
The sport’s governing body – England Ice Hockey - will now have to decide whether the game should be replayed, although that will depend on ice time being available for an alternative date that suits both teams.
Depending on the outcome of the Association’s investigation into the matter, other possible scenarios include:
1) allowing the result to stand as a 5-0 win to the Sharks, in which case the players’ appearances and match stats for the game will be included in their records,
2)
awarding
it as an unplayed “no fault” draw with one league point being given to each
team - in which case player stats are not recorded - or
3)
awarding
it as a 5-0 forfeit win, with one or the other of the teams possibly being
subject to further disciplinary action by way of a fine or points deduction.
