Tuesday, November 23, 2010

QMJHL SUSPENDS KIRKPATRICK


The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has come down hard on Michael Kirkpatrick.

The Saint John Sea Dogs forward has been suspended three games by the QMJHL following his hit from behind during Sunday’s complete mess 9-7 win in Moncton.

As always, “the decisions were rendered after reviewing the videotapes of the incidents, gathering testimonies from the players and the organizations involved, reading the officials’ reports and consulting the independent committee in the matter of disciplinary sanctions,” states to a QMJHL press release.

“The Disciplinary Prefect will not be available for further comment.”

Kirkpatrick was given a checking from behind major and a game misconduct after he nailed Moncton Wildcat defenseman Alex MacDonald along the end boards in the Moncton zone during the third period. The Sea Dogs' 20-year old skated in hard on MacDonald and pushed him into the boards.

Kirkpatrick was involved in a bit of scrum beside the Wildcats net, including some punches by Moncton goaltender Shane Owen, before exiting the ice.

MacDonald sat face first on the ice for a few moments with a Wildcats trainer before heading back to the bench. He would be okay.

It was timely penalty for Saint John, as it gave Moncton a five minute power play with 6:44 to go in an 8-6 game. This game officially had it all.

Kirkpatrick certainly is not known for attacks like this. In 24 games this season he has 23 penalty minutes. The North Sydney native has eight goals and 22 assists which places him second in team scoring. He has been playing on a line with Steven Anthony and Stanislav Galiev of late, a line that has proven to be solid.

The Sea Dogs' next three games are all at home. Saint John hosts Bathurst Friday, Halifax on Sunday, and Lewiston next Friday. Not the easiest of schedules – but not the hardest either.

No video of the hit has popped up yet.
The Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc, also announced today that Rouyn-Noranda Huskies winger Christophe Déry has been suspended for a total of three games for high-sticking.

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