The American Hockey League announced this morning that Utica Comets’ Brandon DeFazio will be suspended 2 games for his interference hit on Tomas Nosek in game 2. You can watch the video here and see that it was a very late hit, and caught Nosek up high. Nosek was helped off the ice and missed the remaining 17 minutes of the 1st period, and about half of the 2nd period but did return to the game.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that Utica Comets forward Brandon DeFazio has been suspended for two (2) games as a consequence of an interference incident in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals playoff series vs. Grand Rapids on May 25.
DeFazio was suspended under the provisions of AHL Rule 28.1 (supplementary discipline).
DeFazio will miss Game 3 tonight (May 28) and Game 4 on Friday (May 29) of Utica’s series vs. Grand Rapids.
Rule 28.1 states
Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline
28.1 Supplementary Discipline – In addition to the automatic fines andsuspensions 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.
DeFazio will miss tonight’s game 3 and Friday’s game 4 in Grand Rapids before being able to return for game 5 on Sunday.
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If you’re in Grand Rapids for the game today and can stop by Rosa Parks Circle, the Griffins are hosting a playoff rally from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m..
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins, in partnership with Downtown Grand Rapids Incorporated, will host a rally at Rosa Parks Circle on Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to pump up fans and welcome home the Griffins in their playoff quest to “Bring It Back”.
The rally will be held in conjunction with DGRI’s weekly “Relax at Rosa” event, a free lunchtime programming series for the Downtown community featuring performances from local musicians, large games and food trucks. In attendance will be some of the most notable players in Griffins franchise history, including current roster member Mitch Callahan and former Griffins Travis Richards, Mike Fountain and Matt Ruchty.
Fans who attend the rally will be able to take pictures with the Griffins’ Zamboni, with select winners receiving prizes such as playoff tickets, t-shirts and a special edition Griffins jersey by posting their photos to social media with Grand Rapids’ playoff hashtag #BringItBack. In addition, Finn and members of the front office staff will be present to hand out schedules and ticket discounts for this week’s round of home games.
