Whl Suspends Lethbridge Trio

The Western Hockey League suspended coach Bryan Maxwell and two others affiliated with the Lethbridge Hurricanes Sunday after an alleged assault on referee Brent Reiber following Saturday night’s playoff game in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Lethbridge police also are investigating the incident.

Lethbridge lost to the Regina Pats 6-5, their third straight loss in a tough series, when all hell broke lose.

In fact, “All hell breaks loose” was Sunday’s headline in the Lethbridge Herald.

Regina’s game-winning goal with 34 seconds left was scored by Rhett Gordon on a 5-3 power play. The Hurricanes were down two men after Maxwell picked up a bench minor for throwing a water bottle at Reiber.

Earlier in the third period, Lethbridge’s Colin Cloutier was taken from the game on a stretcher, the apparent victim of a cross-check during a scramble. No penalty was called.

Maxwell, assistant coach Reid Williams and player Mike Josephson have been suspended indefinitely, according to Sunday’s announcement by the WHL.

The account in the Lethbridge paper, written by Cameron Yoos:

“The boiling point came with 1:19 to play in a 5-5 tie. Reiber called an elbowing penalty on Hurricane forward Mark Smith, and Lethbridge coach Bryan Maxwell hit Reiber with a water bottle as play continued. Gordon scored the game-winner on the ensuing two-man advantage.

“After the goal, Lethbridge’s Mike Josephson skated into Reiber and his linesmen, earning a 10-minute misconduct, and Maxwell was handed a game misconduct.

“As time expired, Reiber had to dodge fans who were climbing the Sportsplex glass and hurling items at him, while other fans were (fighting) in the stands.

“The scene became more vicious as it proceeded underneath the stands.”

Police were sorting out Sunday whether Maxwell - the former coach of the Spokane Chiefs - or others from the Lethbridge club physically assaulted Reiber.

In a Sunday morning telephone call to Yoos, a Maxwell assistant denied that the coach struck the referee, Yoos said.

Western Hockey League vice-president Rick Doerksen attended the game.

“Reiber had to be helped to the officials room with undetermined injuries by Doerksen,” Yoos wrote. “Further reports had a linesman also injured. Doerksen was also involved in heated arguments with Maxwell and Hurricanes president Herman Elfring.”

Police escorted Regina players to their bus and their hotel. Reiber and his linesmen were also escorted out, surrounded by police.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, Regina coach Rich Preston told the Lethbridge newspaper.

Lethbridge police issued a statement Sunday.

“The police service is investigating a number of assaults involving fans, game officials and members of the Hurricanes. Investigations are at a preliminary stage and no charges have been laid.”

The two teams played a marathon 6-hour, four-overtime game on Friday night.

Game Four was Sunday night in Lethbridge. Dress was casual, flak jackets and helmets optional.

Regina wrapped up the series with a 5-3 win.

Another view of The Call

The crucial third-period interference call on Jan Hrdina Saturday night that negated a Spokane goal that would have tied Game Two with Portland was applauded by Portland coach Brent Peterson.

After looking at the play on tape, the Chiefs were just as convinced Sunday that the goal should have counted.

Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said, “I didn’t think it was a penalty when it happened and I don’t think it’s a penalty after looking at it twice on tape.

“We have a guy (Hrdina) trying to get in front of the net. He knocks the (Portland) guy down. By the standards of what was and wasn’t called, that’s definitely not a penalty.”

Speltz confirmed that he took the call up with Meier after the game. Voices were raised, Speltz said, but emotions were under control.

“We aren’t saying it was the difference in the game,” said Speltz. “A referee’s call is not the reason why we haven’t won.”

So what is the reason?

Chiefs coach Mike Babcock offered a couple of possibilities as to why the Chiefs find themselves down 2-0 heading into Game Three Tuesday night in Portland.

“We’re tight,” he said. “Because we’re tight, we’re slow. We’re not as physical as we need to be. We’ve got no finish around the net. We’re pressing.”

The plan?

“We’re going to relax and just play,” the coach said.

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