SUNY Broome Police are investigating an incident in which an Erie Community (New York) College hockey player is seen on camera attacking a referee.
The incident happened in the final seconds of the National Junior College Athletic Association [NJCAA] championship game between E.C.C. and Dakota College. With the game coming to an end and E.C.C. trailing, Brandon Day, a freshman from West Seneca, New York, stormed out of the penalty box and took a referee to the ice. He was charged with a ten-minute match penalty for abusing an official.
Here's the incident.
Erie Community College (NJCAA) player storms out of penalty box to level referee late in 3rd period, ending national title game pic.twitter.com/UuJYjSER3K
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 26, 2017
The game was called after the incident occurred and Day was taken into custody by the SUNY Broome Police.
As of 9 p.m. on Sunday, Day remains in custody. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted "President Quinn [E.C.C.] advises me the player was charged with assault and will be dealt with under school rules/policies/procedures."
In a statement to Buffalo-based WKBW, Mark Krug, the Assistant Executive Director of the NJCAA said:
"The NJCAA national office has been made aware of the incident that occurred during its hockey championship game and will take all necessary steps to gather as much information from tournament officials and local authorities regarding violations to the association’s sportsmanship code. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in the NJCAA.”
Police said that the incident is still under investigation and couldn't confirm anything more.
