LMBHF

wtf a forfiet in the playoffs

u can thank the timekeeper for this one. the player in question was clearly not an illegal player, but on the 25 man roster that we have.but to his eyes it seemed that it was written down on the game sheet as someone else, when it was clearly printed out.

so yah.. thank you to the league for tryin to impose a stiff penalty on the eagles and then telling us we can play after we pay the fine, when we were clearly not in the wrong here.

Timekeeper had nothing to do with this. This infraction was spotted by me in a routine inspection of gamesheets and team roster forms and the rule was enforced. I will gladly clarify what happened and the applicable rules.

The player in question #11 Joey or Tony Abbas (printing is a little unclear on first name) was written on the gamesheet by the Eagles team rep. The player wearing #11 received a 2 minute roughing penalty at 12:52 of the first period proving this player did play the game. No player with the last name Abbas is listed on the Eagles 25 player roster. Therefore an illegal player was used.

The fine for using an illegal player is clearly stated in the league rules as posted at the following link:
http://www.ballhockey.net/ballhockey-le ... 2&subc=148

Roster Section Rule 6
If a team is caught using an illegal player, said team will be fined $300.00. Upon a second violation of this offense by a team in the same season, said team shall fined $300.00 and deemed ineligible for the current year provincials. Player will also be suspended for a minimum of 5 games. It should be noted that team management is responsible for ensuring that the players are aware of the rules regarding eligibility.

Fees & Fines Section Rule 1
Teams must pay any and all fines prior to their next game.

Eagles were notified by email Friday evening of 2 game misconduct fines that were owed prior to Saturdays game and I would be at the rink to collect. When I noticed the infraction Saturday morning I called the team rep to notify him of the illegal player infraction and that the $300 fine for this was also due prior to Saturdays game. I also let him know to notify the illegal player so he did not waste his time showing up to the rink even though he was not eligible to play.

The team had every opportunity to pay the fine and play the game. One of the players even went and got cash form the cash machine at the rink but his teammates would not let him pay the fine. It was the team who decided they would not pay the fine and forfeit the game. In forfeiting the team has also incurred an additional $200 fine as per Rule 2 in the Fees & Fines Section.

The interesting thing about the evening was when one of the Eagle players came up to me at the rink Saturday and said he was Joey Abbas and their was clearly a mistake as he did not play Friday night. I said to him if you are Joey Abbas you are not on the teams roster and not eligible to play. I then asked him why he was dressed in equipment and uniform?

Any reply from the Eagles? Interested to hear their rebuttal?