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NHL bans Peca five games for grabbing referee
2008-10-17
NEW YORK (AFP) - Columbus Blue Jackets center Michael Peca was handed a five-game suspension by National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday for grabbing a referee by the arm during an October 10 game. The 34-year-old Canadian pleaded his case to Bettman on Thursday in an appeal over the incident, which came in a 5-4 over-time triumph at Dallas. Peca has already served two games of what had been an indefinite suspension but will be unable to return to the Columbus lineup until next Friday's game against the New York Rangers. The 14-year veteran will also forfeit 35,349 dollars in salary for violating Rule 41 regarding physical abuse of an official at 5:21 of the second period following a goal by the Stars. Peca grabbed the arm of referee Greg Kimmerly, solely to obtain the official's attention according to Peca, while complaining about the play. Peca received a 10-minute misconduct for verbal abuse of Kimmerly and a game misconduct for the arm grab under physical abuse rules that mandate automatic bans of three, 10 or 20 games. The violation was first regarded as a 10-game ban but Bettman reviewed Peca's testimony and a video replay of the incident with the four officials who worked the game, who agreed a three-game ban was more fitting. Bettman used his power to add two games to the ban for what was called "physically demeaning" conduct. "Michael Peca crossed the line by making physical contact with referee Kimmerly," Bettman said. "His conduct, regardless of the type or nature of precipitating events, was inexcusable and showed a lack of respect for our officials and for the game itself."
NHL bans Peca five games for grabbing referee (2008-10-17)NHL suspends Peca indefinitely (2008-10-11)NHL Leafs center Peca suffers broken leg, knee injury (2006-12-24)
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