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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 WHL NOTEBOOK: Controversial hit could eventually effect WHL By Nick Patterson Herald Writer The frightening incident involving the Ontario Hockey League’s Michael Liambas and Ben Fanelli, as well as the subsequent fallout, may not directly involve the WHL. However, it’s still caused quite a stir out west, and it’s conceivable it could eventually have ramifications in the WHL. In an Oct. 30 game between the Erie Otters and Kitchener Rangers, 20-year-old Erie forward Liambas checked 16-year-old Kitchener defenseman Fanelli violently into the boards, putting Fanelli in the hospital for a week with skull and facial fractures. But while the video of the hit sparked much discussion on the internet, it was the punishment handed down to Liambas that really got the debate going. Liambas was suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs, which ends Liambas’ junior career. Liambas told the Toronto Star that while he feels the hit was legal, he will not appeal the suspension. Since then much has been argued about the length of Liambas’ suspension, with many suggesting the punishment was based not on the action itself (a hit some argue was clean) but rather on the outcome of the action (Fanelli’s critical injuries). Gregg Drinnan of the Kamloops Daily News spoke with one veteran hockey coach who felt the suspension was far too harsh. “I don’t agree at all with the OHL suspending the guy for the rest of the season,” the coach told Drinnan, who posted the interview on his blog. “We tell players all the time to protect the puck and that means your back is facing the ice and your face is looking at the wall. Then we tell guys to finish off checks — make sure you finish off your checks or you don’t play. “We are giving guys (mixed) messages and when someone gets hurt we get out the whip and punish the guy. “I hope the kid is OK but in my mind it was a good hit. “We will have no contact in the game soon.” The fallout could end up spilling over into the WHL, too. OHL commissioner David Branch, who handed down the suspension, is also the president of the entire Canadian Hockey League, of which the WHL is a member. Around the WHL Calgary acquired 20-year-old forward Del Cowan from Prince George in exchange for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2011 bantam draft. The Cougars had only just acquired Cowan in the overager cutdown draft. ... Lethbridge also picked up an overager, acquiring forward Dustin Donaghy from Spokane for a sixth-round pick in 2010. The Hurricanes placed 20-year-old forward Radim Valchar to make room for Donaghy. ... Tri-City’s Brendan Shinnimin was named the WHL Player of the Week. The 18-year-old forward had three goals and three assists as the Americans went 2-0. ... Regina’s Jordan Eberle was named the WHL Player of the Month for September/October. The 19-year-old forward had 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 games. League leaders Points — Brandon Kozun (Calgary) 38; goals — Cody Eakin (Swift Current) 21; assists — Kozun 28; penalty minutes — Randy McNaught (Saskatoon) 79; wins — Drew Owsley (Tri-City) 14; goals against average — Michael Snider (Calgary) 2.10; save percentage — Snider .924. Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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