Coach Thornton banned for 9 games.

The EIHL Disciplinary Committee have announced that Belfast Giants coach, Steve Thornton, will be banned for 9 matches following an off-the-puck incident with Andre Payette during Sunday’s match in Newcastle.

The official line on Coach Thornton’s suspension is as follows:

“Following review, his 2+2 penalty for High Sticking has been upgraded to a Match Penalty for Slashing. The slash in question was made to the head/neck area of the opposing player and as such this offence carries a suspension tariff of five games. Furthermore, the committee has imposed a further three game suspension for Reckless Use of the Stick.”

The Giants have confirmed that they plan to appeal the ban, meaning Coach Thornton will be able to ice in all games until the appeal has been considered.

Two Vipers players, Todd Griffith and Rob Rankin, have both been banned for one match each for instigating a fight in the last five minutes of Sunday’s match. Jez Lundin, another Vipers player, has had a minor for cross-checking upgraded to a 5+Game.

Brad Cruickshank of the Bison has been banned for 5 games following a review of his match penalty for Excessive Rough Play, the committee adding 2 additional games for the rough play and 2 more games for bringing the game into disrepute.

Additionally, the league have commented on the number of supplementary disciplinary actions taking place this season, “We are still in the early weeks of the new season, and this is the second time that the committee has had to preside over such matters. The league does not wish to be continually suspending players. However, the players and coaching staff need to appreciate that if the rules are broken, there are tariffs in place to penalise such actions.”

Marty McAllister

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