Blind River has to wait on Pollard
It will be 15 games into the 2015-2016 Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League regular season before recently-acquired defenceman Matt Pollard can make his debut for the Blind River Beavers.
Before he suits up for Blind River, Pollard must serve a 15-game suspension that he incurred while playing for the Elliot Lake Wildcats in 2014-2015.
It was on April 4 during the last game of the second round of the playoffs between Elliot Lake and the eventual champion Soo Thunderbirds that Pollard received his third instigator penalty of the 2014-2015 campaign.
Being a third-time offender of the instigator rule resulted in an automatic 5-game suspension for Pollard and upon review, NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca tacked another 10 games on to the sentence to be served by the 6-foot-2, 240 pound, 1995 birth-year defender.
Pollard was subsequently traded by Elliot Lake to Blind River last month.
In 31 games with Elliot Lake in 2014-2015 — regular season and playoffs included — Pollard had 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points and 57 penalty minutes.
Tipical Mazzuca showing off his “Iron Fist” and I am curius as to why the extra 10 games????? If the rules say 5 Games for a 3rd infraction who is Mazzuca to hand out another 10 Games?????This is Bull Shit!!!!!
Most Hockey Canada rules state the minimum suspension for games so if it says 5 you can give more if you would like. He may have felt that the player in question would not learn from just 5 games. Well within Mazzuca’s right to do so.
I’ve been behind Mazook for most things but his anti fighting anti fun for the fans stance sucks large! !!. Tell me that Pollard and all get a clean slate as far as this season is concerned!
This is northern Ontario. Ballet hockey can stay in Europe!
I wonder if this will be appeeled to the new Executive Comittee. 15 Games sounds pretty harsh to me. Come on now Mr. Commish lets not get carried away with this Suspension.
Sometimes players just do not get it and they need a harsher reminder to try to get the message across. I noticed the team has also been fined $1250 for his infractions. I would like to see the head coach be a little more accountable in these situations.
Some really sad comments here. Pollard picks a fight late in a game when the series was decided against a much smaller opponent, and you idiots don’t think he deserves supplementary discipline. And the stupid comments about Europeans accomplish what exactly?? Canadian hockey continues to dominate, but only because Hockey Canada realized goonery wasn’t going to get it done against superior skill. The 2014 olympic and 2015 WJC teams were ALL skill and speed. Wake up dinosaurs!! Great job taking a stand Mr. Mazucca!!
Heh skippy. If you watched the game you saw a Soo player(with the series victory assured) run a Wilcat with his elbow high and not receive a penalty. Ask the Elliot Lake coach who asked players on the bench if they were going to allow this to happen if he felt a long suspension would work. Elliot Lake did nothing. I’ve kept quiet about this for a long time. I’ve worked in hockey for a long time. Coaches should stand behind their statements. You’ve suckered one of your own and sent him on a mission. Own up!
There’s a fine balance, and I will have to agree with Espo on this one. Series is done…suck it up and lose like a man. On the other hand, there are teams in the league that are soft and opponents know it. I’m all in favour of having the one guy that can keep things honest if needed.
15 is way to many Gms for instigating a fight for the 3rd time. Get with it yous people!!!!! 5 Gms for this is more than enuf. This is Hockey not Curling!!!!!
It has nothing to do with your little player on what ever team it wyas, nor do I care about Pollard or what ever team he plays for. I am against the anti fighting stance and over the top bs that is taking a fun element out of this league. As a fan of hockey I like to see some decent scraps at a hockey game. That’s Hockey!
And I’m sick of every anti fighting argument is referencing dinosaurs, neanderthal, etc , like some how because you dis like fighting you have some type of superior intellect over those that do. I’m being honest saying what I personally like regarding my hockey. I dont need to spew some condescending crap to make myself feel better about myself and in turn put down others.
As the Commish Mazzooca has a job to do to keep the Players safe that is the bottom line if you were to ask me.
…Pretty soon its Xibition hockey time as the Rock take to the ice against KL! Looking forward to this Season at the Mac and hockey back in Timmins.