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Liambas suspension harsh, but did the OHL get it right?

November 4, 2009 05:27 PM | Posted by   Scott Morrison  

David Branch is nothing if not consistent.

Never afraid to send a loud message, the commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League delivered another one Wednesday when he suspended Erie Otters’ forward Michael Liambas for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

This, of course, was for the thundering check Liambas threw at Kitchener Rangers defenceman Ben Fanelli last Friday, which left the 16-year-old with a fractured skull and orbital bone and in critical, but stable condition in hospital.

Fanelli’s season is done, so too is Liambas’ now. Indeed, as a 20-year-old over-age player, Liambas’ junior career is now over.

The burning question, of course, is did Branch get it right?

Branch the felt the speed and the distance Liambas travelled made it worthy of the severe suspension.

There is no doubt that Liambas was skating at a high speed and did skate in from near the blue-line when he eventually met up with Fanelli behind the Kitchener net. Did he lunge, or elbow, or high stick or even charge? Many would argue no, but he did deliver a punishing check.

Was he reckless? You could argue that. But a big reason why the injury happened is because at the last second Fanelli turned into the boards and was exposed.

Now, no one likes what happened to the youngster - that he was put in hospital - but the suspension seems harsh.

When asked why the full season, why not, say, 25 games, Branch said “how does 25 games line up with Ben Fanelli not playing again this year?”

Consistent again.

Moving forward, perhaps the issue that should be addressed is the idea of having 16-year-old kids on the same ice as 20-year-old men. Regardless of the respect factor, regardless of whether there was intent and recklessness, you’re talking about kids fresh out of midget, or even minor-midget hockey playing against men who could be playing in the NHL.

There can be a huge physical gap, one that could lead to injuries far less severe than this one.

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