Referees intervene in an on-ice fight between the Stonewall Blues and a team from the Lake Manitoba First Nation on Sunday. RCMP had to be called in to break up the fight. (Courtesy of Chris Gareau)
One of the coaches of a minor-league hockey team in Stonewall, Man., says he couldn't believe it when a fight erupted during a game on Sunday, with RCMP having to be called in to break it up.
The fight happened in the last period of a championship game between the Stonewall Blues and a team from the Lake Manitoba First Nation at around 4:30 p.m.
Police said one of the referees was allegedly struck by a 14-year-old player, and some parents were fighting in the stands.
"Holy smokes. I have never seen that type of behaviour at a hockey game. It was just horrible," Peter Mandryk, one of the Blues' coaches, told CBC News on Monday.
"It's so ridiculous … putting their hands on the ref, and it was just so wrong."
Mandryk said tensions were high during the game and the other team had been taking a lot of penalties.
"We got ahead, they were certainly not respecting their opponents, they certainly weren't respecting the officials, and it was no discipline," he said. "It was really, really hard to watch."
Things got out of hand, Mandryk said, when players from the Lake Manitoba team tried to start a fight and one player shot a puck at a referee.
"Police shouldn't have to come down to a hockey game. I do believe they have better things to do with — and certainly more important things to do with — their time," he said.
The game was stopped and about 100 people had to leave the arena, but no one was hurt, according to RCMP.
The incident is under investigation.
RCMP called in to break up Stonewall, Man., hockey brawl - Manitoba - CBC News