HELSINKI, FINLAND – Following the line brawl in the match between HIFK and Pelicans, the SM-Liiga disciplinary board has handed out 19 games in suspensions and large fines for both teams.
Pelicans players Jyri Marttinen, Max Warn, Joonas Jarvinen and Aaron Brocklehurst received a two-game suspension each while Arttu Luttinen received a one-game suspension.
HIFK has lost Mikko Kurvinen and Eetu Poysti for two games following the fights and additionally Robert Nyholm and Siim Liivik for one game due to suspension. Both teams were also fined €10,000 for the incidents.
The SM-Liiga disciplinary board has also suspended both HIFK coach Petri Matikainen and Pelicans coach Kai Suikkanen for two games.
All in all the game saw a record number of penalties handed out, most of which were in the final 30 seconds of the game. The 465 minutes in penalties broke the record set 42 years prior from a match between Tappara and Saipa which saw 291 penalty minutes handed out.
Amidst rumours that the two head coaches ordered the retaliatory fights, Pelicans Max Warn stepped out to say that Suikkanen did not tell his players to get on the ice and start a fight, but it was the players’ decision to stand up for their team and teammate.
HIFK’s defence man Daniel Fernholm said that the fights and the game reminded him of playing against KHL Team Vitjaz Tšehov, that has become renowned for fighting on and off the ice rather than wins. Vitjaz Tšehov has pure fighters such as Kip Brennan and Jon Mirasty in its roster.
Both HIFK and Pelicans both issued a no-comment to media policy at their respective Monday practice.
Contact Janne.Virtanen@prohockeynews.com
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