Hockey Teams Brawl : Union suspends coaches 2 games

The end of Saturday night’s Mayor’s Cup game between RPI and Union turned ugly when, after the final buzzer solidified a 2-1 RPI win, a brawl broke out including both players and coaches – an enraged Rick Bennett, Union’s coach, could be seen aggressively pursuing a restrained Seth Appert of RPI.

The school made the announcement Sunday afternoon by issuing statements from both Bennett and athletic director Jim McLaughlin.

“On behalf of Union College and the Men’s Hockey Team, I apologize for my actions and behavior after last night’s game against RPI,” Bennett said in the statement. “The administration, supporters, and loyal fans of both programs deserve and demand better from me. I’m truly sorry for the events that took place after the game.”

Through an athletic department spokesperson, both McLaughlin and Bennett declined further comment.

After the game, Bennett declined to say what prompted him to go after RPI coach Seth Appert while players from both teams already were engaged in a melee on the ice. The coaches had to be separated by players and referees.

The brawl led to 125 total penalty minutes and one-game suspensions for four players: Union center Eli Lichtenwald, Union defenseman (and captain) Mat Bodie, RPI center Mike Zalewski and RPI defenseman Luke Curadi, who also will sit an additional game because this marked his second suspension of the season.

Agencies/Canadajournal