If you’ve ever wondered exactly what it takes to get a 14-game suspension in the Central Hockey League, now you know. Taking off your jacket and hurling it onto the ice gets you one game, according to CHL Director of Operations Bob Huffan. But here’s where it gets tricky. Continue to strip, and each article of clothing you toss out gets you approximately four more games.
Last week Colorado Eagles assistant coach Greg Pankewicz became so incensed with an official’s call, that he began stripping and hurling his clothes onto the ice. Today it was announced that his show will cost him 14 games — which is how many games are left in the regular season. He can come back for the playoffs.
“The automatic suspension of one game and a fine came from throwing items onto the ice,” Central Hockey League Director of Operations Bob Huffan said.
Huffan said Pankewicz earned a harsher 14-game penalty as the angry stripping continued. Pankewicz threw his shoes and eventually his shirt. He continued the tirade in just pants and socks.
“Many people, I’m sure, have seen the video and have seen the lengths that it went to on top of that, which is what was taken into account during the deliberation process of what further penalties should be given to Mr. Pankewicz,” Huffan told CBS4.
So let’s break this down. “Panks” first threw his jacket, which garnered a one-game suspension. Then, tie (three games, let’s say), shirt (four games), and shoes (three games each). God knows what you’d get for pants; and in Colorado, I believe losing your shorts gets the death penalty.
If I’m reading Huffan’s quote correctly, it’s the fact that the act was filmed and put on YouTube which prompted the harsher penalty. Is that fair? Pankewicz didn’t post it. And really, at the end of the day you;re just talking about some fabric on the ice. Quickly scooped up and placed in the Goodwill bin. Or auctioned for charity. Come on CHL, don’t go all Barney Fife on us here.
In Pankewicz’s defense, he only retired as a player one year ago. And as he had a reputation for intensity, it’s no surprise he went a bit loco when an official, trying to break up a fight, pushed one of his players to the ice. Anyway, here’s what some CBS-Denver web site commenters had to say:
I was at the game and Pankewicz was completely justified. The ref blindside tackled an Eagle’s player. The ref held the players arms as he felt to the ice. — Bill Locklear
The guy takes his cloths off because he’s angry?? Don’t you think that a rather strange reaction? — LEL MN
@LEL MN, Before you say another word, go rent a copy of ”Slapshot” — Jack
In reality most on ice hockey officials have escaped from mental institutions and have no clue what they are doing, aside from being the most arrongant AW on the face of the earth, fans have to put up with them because they are protected by guess what? Unions. — JBar595
We’ll have none of this “men naked from the waist up” behavior. Don’t they know there are impressionable children in the stands ?? Now let’s get back to slamming each other’s heads into the boards and punching each other out. — Floyd DaBarber
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Colorado Eagles coach suspended for stripping [CBS-Denver]
