A Massachusetts youth hockey game turned ugly Saturday when one player slashed another in the face from behind in a shocking scene.
The attacking player from the Bay State Breakers has been suspended and could face further sanctions.
The father of the victim told 7News that his son is OK.
“The Breakers player has been suspended indefinitely from practices and games,” the team told 7News, while adding that the attacker wrote an apology letter to his victim.
“Massachusetts Hockey is currently investigating the incident and will decide the length of the suspension, as they are the governing body for our sport.”
During Saturday’s game in Foxborough, Mass. reportedly featuring mostly 11-year-olds, a South Shore Kings skater neared his own goal when the attacking Bay State player approached him from behind.
The Bay State skater caught his opponent right in the face from the side and both fell to the ice, with the vicious hit breaking his stick in half.
One referee immediately skated to the two players and got between them while the victim’s teammates came toward him, and the officials ejected the attacking player.
The parent who filmed the attack told the outlet that the two players previously had a tangle near center ice but the game had otherwise been free of any drama.
Fans in attendance screamed after watching the attack.
Massachusetts Hockey told 7News in a statement they are “aware of the incident and it is being handled in accordance with Massachusetts Hockey and USA Hockey’s discipline processes.”
The Bay State Breakers “is a comprehensive hockey organization composed of teams competing in the EHF, the EHF Selects and the NEGHL, with teams ranging from age 6 through 18,” according to the organization’s website.
“The Breakers organization offers competition and development to our players in the premier youth leagues for both boys and girls in New England.”
