The American Hockey League announced this afternoon that the Griffins’ Eric Tangradi has been suspended for 3 games as a result of an illegal check to the head Sunday night against the Iowa Wild. He’s been suspended under rule 28.1. Rule 28 is a pretty broad rule that basically says the president of the league can give out discipline after a game as he sees fit.
Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline 28.1 Supplementary Discipline – In addition to the automatic fines and suspensions imposed under these rules, the President may, at his discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any Pre-season, Exhibition, League or Playoff game and may assess additional fines and/or suspensions for any offense committed during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player, goalkeeper, Trainer, Manager, Coach or non-playing Club personnel or Club executive, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee. If an investigation is requested by a Club, it must be initiated within twenty-four (24) hours following the completion of the game in which the incident occurred. In addition, teams are required to fill out a request for supplemental discipline form along with a two hundred fifty dollar ($250) deposit refundable if further action is taken by the League.
The incident happened Sunday in the Griffins 4-3 overtime comeback win against the Iowa Wild. Here’s video footage of the hit. Unfortunately the score banner at the top of the screen blocks us from having a good view of the hit, and there was no replay shown in the arena. Watch the top of the the video on the left corner of the banner.
At 8:29 of the 2nd period, Tangradi hit Christian Folin at the Griffins blue line. Both players went down to the ice, and the Wild players were outraged immediately. Joe Finley and Jordan Schroeder were both on the ice for the Wild and Finley dropped his gloves and tried to fight someone, and either he or Schroeder grabbed Anthony Mantha and threw him down to the ice. I don’t think the Wild players even knew right away that it was Tangradi who delivered the hit, they just wanted someone to pay for it. There was a lot of chaos and anger that followed. Even from this poor view, it does look like Tangradi hit Folin up high, very possibly in the head. Tangradi was issued a 2 minute penalty for interference on the play and no other in game discipline was handed out. Tangradi currently leads the Griffins in points with 20 and goals with 12, and the team will be without his services Wednesday night at Lake Erie , and both Friday and Saturday at home against the Texas Stars.
