The Hockey News: Headlines: Blue Jackets centre Michael Peca suspended for bumping official

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Blue Jackets centre Michael Peca suspended for bumping official

2008-10-11 20:40:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Blue Jackets centre Michael Peca has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL for making contact with an on-ice official.

The team and league announced the suspension on Saturday. Peca was automatically suspended per Rule 41, Physical Abuse of Officials, Category 2.

He was assessed a game misconduct penalty at 5:21 of the second period of the Blue Jackets' season opener on Friday night at Dallas, which they went on to win 5-4 on Rick Nash's goal in overtime.

Peca, an alternate captain, has appealed but will remain suspended pending a hearing to be scheduled next week.

COMMENTS (6)

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che Posted
(2009-04-30 07:50:44)

I wanna see this call. Where can I see it online? i didn't catch that game. Don't always get the american games up here.

Rangers57 Posted
(2009-04-30 07:09:33)

As mentioned below, I did not get to see this "GRAVE INCIDENT", and if in fact the description of this incident is correct then YES we (the fans) are definately in for another year of inept officiating. This is only one example again of on ice officials refusing to explain calls, or non calls when questioned. The reason (as we have all been told) for the additional official is to make the calls that were either NOT called/seen by the first official. Since this second official has been added, (my opinion) we the fans have seen more non-calls and also more invisible calls than ever before. Yet the League refuses to address this problem with it's officials and just gives it the old BLIND EYE treatment. There are some officials who will explain penalities to players, while others refuse. I think that they (the officials) take offense to this as they think that they are above being questioned about their decisions. The officiating in the NHL (in my opinion) has been nothing but LAUGHABLE since the 2nd official has been added, not that it was much better before.

Chris Posted
(2009-04-30 07:09:23)

I agree. This ref is totally incompetent and should be suspended. First for missing the call and second for ejecting Peca for simply touching him. He didn't even push him for crying out loud. He was simply trying to get his attention. I can see that the quality of officiating this season isn't going to get any better.

Jessie Posted
(2009-04-30 07:09:15)

You guys are right. Abuse of an official is a big-time stretch. First the guy blows the call and then skates away from Peca, an assistant captain. My guess is that Peca had been trying to get his attention verbally, but the loser ref either didn't hear him, or chose to ignore him because he knew he couldn't look him in the eye after such a blatant missed call. There is no known official footage of this, but you can go to youtube and bring up someone's home video (from the nose bleed seats) of the 5 on 3 goal and it shows the whole sequence. The camera gets shaky when the goal is scored, but you can see Peca skate towards the ref and reach out towards him in a regular, non-aggressive manner. The whole 'abuse' lasts about 2 seconds and next thing you know Peca is ejected from the game. Protect the refs, fine, but 10 games is absolutely ridiculous. 3 games would be reasonable. You are right Rob, this ref. should be suspended for being incompetent and for abusing his position of power.

Rob Posted
(2009-04-30 07:09:11)

WHAT? Abuse of a Ref? Peca gets a slue-foot from Morrow that leads to a Dallas goal. It happens in front of the net, in front of the shooter, and they don't see it? Come On! Peca, with an "A" on his sweater, has the right, while on the ice, to talk to the officials. Peca was trying to get the on-ice official's attention to plead his slue-foot case. Abuse? The official screwed up the call and now wants to hide the fact by hiding behind the rule book. This should all come out in the NHL's hearing, as I know the NHL is a quality organization.....

Mike Posted
(2009-04-30 07:09:10)

Abuse of the rules by the officials, Peca touched his arm to get his attention and the loser writes him up for abuse. The referee is the one who should be suspended for missing Peca's call, allowing that call and then being such an idiot about this whole situation.