Fight Night on Chippewa Street (updated)

A fan looks on at one of the craziest fight filled nights of hockey at Memorial Gardens. Photo by Chris Dawson.

It looked like a new age version of the "Punchup in Piestany," and like back in 1987 World Juniors, it looked like only way the fighting would stop would be to turn the lights out.

More than 300 penalty minutes handed out, most of them in the final minutes of a 7-3 Skyhawks victory in game one of the NOJHL East Division semifinal against the Sudbury Northern Wolves.

The huge dust-up put a black mark on what appeared to be a great third period of hockey which included a natural hat trick by Tyler Perry, which broke a 3-3 tie in the third and put the game out of reach for the visiting Northern Wolves, and that's when things started to get ugly.

The fights broke out after a late hit in the Wolves corner and all 8 skaters grabbed their partners which led to 8 game misconducts, leaving the goalies the only ones not escorted off the ice.

But that was nothing compared to what would unfold after play resumed. With 13 seconds left all players on the ice got involved in a little dance, however when Wolves goalie Paul Pidutti came to a teammates aid, Josh Merson, fresh off of laying beating on his dance partner, came in and grabbed their goalie.

That's when Northern Wolves coach Brian McGillis appeared to open his gates and the bench clearing brawl officially began.

With more than 25 misconduct or fighting related penalties handed out in the final seconds, it is unclear of how many players will actually get a chance to suit up for game two of the series which takes place Wednesday night in Copper Cliff.

It's likely the Skyhawks will be without both Justin Roy and Josh Merson who were given two fighting majors in the brawl. Skyhawks coach Randy Edmonds confirmed that Frank Desbiens will not play due to a suspension.

Sources have told BayToday.ca that a league meeting regarding this contest will take place before the two teams meet Wednesday night.

Cogeco North Bay News is reporting that Northern Wolves coach Brian McGillis will not be allowed behind the bench for Wednesday's contest. McGillis was handed a two game suspension, plus the league is enforcing disciplinary action against the Northern Wolves coach in connection with commments he made to the media after Tuesday's game.


Game Summary


First Period
1. NB: Marc-Andre Rizk (Tyler Perry, Josh Merson) 08:50 FG PP
2. SBY: Rob Bonhomme (Jason Kauffeldt) 13:02 PP

Penalties: Daniel Charbonneau SBY (HO) 08:32; Brian McGarry SBY (USC) 10:47; Kyle Hope SBY (RO) 10:47; Kyle Hope SBY (RAW) 10:47; Frank Desbiens NB (RAW) 10:47; Marc-Andre Rizk NB (USC) 10:47; Dustin McCrank NB (SL) 11:40; Alex Ward NB (RO) 12:43; Matt Chuipka SBY (RO) 17:53; Brett Venasse NB (RO) 17:53;
Second Period
3. NB: Marc-Andre Rizk (Alex Ward, David Frawley) 07:51 PP
4. NB: Tyler Perry (David Frawley, David Cappadocia) 10:26
5. SBY: Neil MacDonald (Jacques Proulx, Brian McGarry) 10:54

Penalties: Kyle Hope SBY (HO) 06:31; Joey Derochie SBY (TR) 12:28; Dustin McCrank NB (CC) 13:17;
Third Period
6. SBY: Neil MacDonald (Brian McGarry) 00:46
7. NB: Tyler Perry (David Cappadocia) 02:13 GW
8. NB: Tyler Perry (David Cappadocia, David Frawley) 07:30
9. NB: Tyler Perry (David Frawley, David Cappadocia) 12:02
10. NB: Alex Ward (David Frawley, Tyler Perry) 12:33

Penalties: Chad Goulet SBY (USC) 01:54; Dustin McCrank NB (USC) 01:54; Frank Desbiens NB (HS) 03:18; Jamie Dallaire SBY (RO) 06:39; Matt Collins NB (CC) 06:39; Chris Pontes NB (SL) 13:18; Phil Malafarina SBY (USC) 14:59; Alex Ward NB (USC) 14:59; Kyle Jokela SBY (RO) 17:32; Kyle Sheridan SBY (FI) 19:27; Daniel Charbonneau SBY (M34) 19:27; Phil Malafarina SBY (M34) 19:27; Jamie Dallaire SBY (M34) 19:27; Frank Desbiens NB (FI) 19:27; Chris Pontes NB (M34) 19:27; Jon Ryan NB (M34) 19:27; Marc-Andre Rizk NB (M34) 19:27; Ian Carlson NB (M34) 19:27; Kyle Hope SBY (GM54) 19:47; Kyle Hope SBY (FI) 19:47; Kyle Hope SBY (GM27) 19:47; Joey Derochie SBY (FI) 19:47; Chad Goulet SBY (FI) 19:47; Joey Derochie SBY (GM31) 19:47; Rob Bonhomme SBY (RO) 19:47; Rob Bonhomme SBY (GM33) 19:47; Chad Goulet SBY (GM31) 19:47; Brian McGillis SBY (GM33) 19:47; Kyle Doherty SBY (GM33) 19:47; Alex Ward NB (FI) 19:47; Justin Roy NB (FI) 19:47; Justin Roy NB (GM31) 19:47; Josh Merson NB (FI) 19:47; Josh Merson NB (GM31) 19:47;

With files from NOJHL.com