A hockey puck hits a helmet during play between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on January 27, 2010 in Dallas, TexasRonald Martinez
The University of Alberta men's hockey team is without its captain and top player following an on-ice attack by a British Columbia Thunderbirds' player best known for being suspended by the Ontario Hockey League.
Golden Bears' forward Eric Hunter suffered facial cuts and a concussion Friday night in Vancouver after being punched in the head from behind and driven into the ice by UBC's Mike Liambis.
Alberta head coach Eric Thurston said the incident occurred late in the second period after Hunter had tripped Liambis, a first-year Canada West player who was suspended the balance of the 2009-2010 OHL season for running 16-year-old Kitchener Ranger Ben Fanelli into the boards. Fanelli suffered a fractured skull.
"Liambis goes right after Hunter and drops his gloves and hits him from the side and behind then plants him into the ice," Thurston said Saturday. "(Hunter) had cuts under his (right eye) and stitches and he's had headaches and dizziness. Our trainers were with him all night and the doctor will be examining him today.
"He didn't play the rest of the game and won't be playing (in Saturday's second game at UBC)."
The Liambis-Hunter play will be reviewed by Canada West men's hockey convenor Bill Seymour. It is likely Liambis, who drew a minor penalty, a five-minute major and a game misconduct, will receive a two-game suspension for fighting, a moot penalty since the Thunderbirds season ends tonight.
The Golden Bears, however, begin the Canada West playoffs next weekend and may be without their leader. Thurston said there's more at stake than the loss of his captain.
"I have a kid (Hunter) in business, an honour's student and an academic all-Canadian. What happens with him going to school? With his exams?" Thurston asked. "Hockey is hockey. These guys are preparing for academic life. What if he has to sit out the semester?"
Thurston said he had warned his players that UBC would play a tough, physical game and to keep their emotions in check. He will repeat that message tonight, along with a hope the officials do a better job of monitoring the on-ice give and take.
"I really respect what the NHL has done with officiating and keeping the standard that first came down (on hits from behind, obstruction, etc.) Because there's no fighting in our league, we have to keep that same standard," said Thurston. "(Canada West) has to be diligent when it comes to hitting from behind, hooking, slashing, head shots. You really have to police it. When the players know they can get away with it, they'll take it to the next level."
Liambis, from Woodbridge, Ont., had a tryout with the Toronto Maple Leafs after his OHL suspension. He ended up playing in the International Hockey League with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. He received a five-game suspension from the IHL for a hit that ruptured the spleen of Muskegon's Jason Lawmaster.