League punishes teams over brawl

Sheffield's Scott Allison is suspended for 14 matches

By BBC Sport Online's Stuart Hughes

The Superleague has handed out stiff punishments to the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers after last Friday's brawl at the National Ice Centre.

Hardest hit is Steelers forward Scott Allison, who has been suspended for a record 14 matches.

The fracas began four minutes into the second period when Sheffield skipper Dennis Vial cross-checked Greg Hadden.

It swiftly descended into one of the worst incidents of on-ice violence seen in Britain in recent years.

After reviewing a video of the game, the Superleague banned Allison for 10 games for a cross check to the head, two for fighting and two for leaving the penalty box.

If it was up to me I would appeal against both Scott Allison's and Dennis Vial's suspensions

  Mike Blaisdell

He has also been fined £850.

Vial has been suspended for six matches and fined £750.

Sheffield coach Mike Blaisdell did not escape punishment and has been fined £500 for failing to control his bench and suspended for two games.

The Steelers organisation has been fined £2,500 for bringing the sport into disrepute as have the Panthers.

Nottingham winger Barry Nieckar has been banned for five games and handed a £700 fine, while coach Peter Woods has been fined £250 for failing to control his bench.

Greg Hadden has been given a three-match ban and fined £250 for a separate incident later in the game which left Sheffield forward Rick Brebant requiring stitches.

Questionable action

Blaisdell condemned Allison's suspension as "over the top" and said the club was considering an appeal.

"I think (Steelers owner) Darren Brown is convinced we need to appeal but he wants to look at the video himself first before deciding," he said.

"Appeals cost money so it's really down to Darren. I know if it was up to me and I had the money then I would appeal against both Scott and Dennis's suspensions.

"What really upsets me is the suspension for Nieckar. We're very unfortunate he was not caught on video or seen by the officials because he was the one who really started the chain of events.

"But he has got away with something away from the game. I guess it sometimes happens when you rely on video evidence so much," Blaisdell added.