CHL suspends Laxdal for 3 games
Published on January 22, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Central Hockey League (CHL) today suspended Thunder head coach Derek Laxdal three (3) games for his actions in this past Saturday's 3-1 loss at Indianapolis.
Laxdal received a two-minute bench minor penalty and a game misconduct at the 18:55 mark of the third period for throwing a water bottle in the direction of referee Derek Berkebile. While being led off the ice, Laxdal pushed one of the linesmen, and received a gross misconduct penalty. Laxdal's suspension will begin immediately and he will miss all three games this weekend.
"I regret my actions with the officiating crew, unfortunately my passion for the game got be in a little trouble", said Laxdal. "I hope the guys will step up for me and accept this challenge with a big weekend effort".
Assistant coach Trevor Allman will serve as interim head coach, while rookie Darryl Green will run the defense. Both Allman and Green were placed on the 14-day injured reserve today. The Thunder will also be without defenseman Peter Runkel, who will remain on the 45-day injured reserve list for another week. Defenseman Ryan Olynyk, who missed the last two games, will return to the lineup, giving the Thunder 17 active players.
To fill out the roster, the Thunder added defenseman Jan Vrtik (VEER-teck) and left wing Mike Lucci (LOO-chee) today. Vrtik picked up 10 points in 33 games with the Corpus Christi Rayz, while Lucci had four points and 51 penalty minutes this season in 27 games with the Oklahoma City Blazers.
Earlier this week, the Thunder acquired goaltender Mark Cairns from the Odessa Jackalopes and All-Star center Joe Blaznek from the Lubbock Cotton Kings. Blaznek will represent the Dodge Southern Conference Vipers as they battle Thunder goaltender Nathan Grobins and the Dodge Northern Conference Rams in the 2004 CHL All-Star Game tonight at 8:05 p.m. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. All four new players will make their Thunder debut tomorrow night.
The Thunder, 9-4-0 in their last 13 games and winners of five straight at home, will battle the Oklahoma City Blazers in a home-and-home series this Friday and Saturday. The Thunder will wear Kansas State University jerseys while the Blazers will don Oklahoma State University jerseys for both games. To go with the jerseys, the Thunder will wear the home game socks of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. Fans can bid on the K-State jerseys at Friday's home game and pick them up on Sunday when the Thunder host the Amarillo Gorillas at 6:00 p.m.
For more information or to order tickets, call the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2004
- Ice weekend fit for Kings - OSC Original by Mike Wallin
- Comcast CHL All-Star Skills Competition Results - Laredo Bucks
- Golden Gloves Tournament Comes to Lubbock - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- CHL suspends Laxdal for 3 games - Wichita Thunder
- Cotton Kings Release Rookies - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Scoring Duo Set for Tonight's All-Star Game in New Mexico - Indianapolis Ice
- Saints Add Hodgson, Lose Moffat - San Angelo Saints
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