Date
Jan 2, 2026
Game
Tailgaters vs Canucks
Details
During the 3rd period, a Tailgaters player was perceived to be taking a couple extra “digs” at puck under the opposing goalie’s pad. This prompted a Canucks player to issue a check to the aforementioned player, sending them to the ice. A different Tailgaters stepped over their teammate to confront the Canucks player, who retaliated by pushing the player back, falling onto his downed teammate. The call on the ice was Roughing.
A formal review was requested. During review, it was determined the Roughing call was inappropriate. This was echoed by both on ice officials, citing a partially-obstructed view at the time, and recommended that the call be amended. While the initial observation was seen as an accidental, upper-body contact, the review found that, partially due to size difference between the players, the point of impact was the player’s head. The officials also noted the hit to be intentional and recommended a Match Misconduct to replace the Roughing call.
Result
A Canucks player was issued a 6-game suspension (6.20 HEAD CONTACT, 6.21 RETALIATION)*
Warnings were also issued to players on the Tailgaters who came close to violating 6.22 THIRD PERSON IN
*Any further suspension-worthy infractions will result in league banishment
** A default, 1-game suspension was also issued to a Tailgaters player for verbal abuse of an official, but was not part of this review.