I just
got off of the phone with Greg Shepherd the head of WCHA officials and this is what I know. According
to Shepherd, Badgers forward Michael Mersch came off of the bench on a line
change and he would've had to enter the altercation in question to be
suspended. In other words, Mersch will not be suspended by the WCHA.
So, after
reading that, if you're still in disbelief like I am, you’re not alone. If
Mersch had jumped off of the Wisconsin player’s bench and then entered the
altercation in the Wisconsin end, Mersch would've then been
suspended.
This
doesn’t pass the smell test, even if you were in altered state of mind.
So, if
you’re confused, you’re not alone. I guess the fact that Mersch jumped off of
the bench challenged UND forward Steph Pattyn to a fight, while he was being
escorted off of the ice by one of the officials. In addition, it’s obvious by the video that Mersch
came off of the Wisconsin players bench, while the previous play had been whistled
dead; then took off his helmet. Apparently, this is not relevant in this case.
I don’t
know many coaches that allow their hockey players to change lines during an altercation, take
off their helmet, and then challenge an opponent to a fight, while said play is
stopped. Usually they wait until the puck is dropped, and then challenge
someone to a fight.
You’re
not supposed to change lines during an altercation. I have to give the WCHA
credit; they’re easy to get clarification from on incidents.
