Andrew Lord has applauded Elite League officials for their ‘gutsy’ decision to look again at the one-match suspension imposed on Sheffield Steelers forward Colton Fretter.
The Canadian playmaker has now been banned for six games including this Saturday’s Elite League clash with Devils at Ice Arena Wales.
There was nationwide condemnation among ice hockey fans plus former and current players after the League’s Department of Payer Safety (DOPS) made their original decision following his attack on Belfast defenceman Spiro Goulakos.
League owners quickly ordered an independent review which resulted in Fretter’s punishment being upgraded.
“It was a pretty gutsy decision by Elite League,” said Devils payer-coach Lord. “It was extremely frustrating for everybody involved. So many good people have worked to help our League get to where it is today.
“We had two teams playing Champions League and Nottingham Panthers are still there. That has brought good publicity for British ice hockey around Europe.
“A knockout blow like that (Fretter’s one-game ban) was brutal, but a lot of good is going to come from opting for an independent review.
“It was an eye opener for the League after the passion fans and players showed towards the wrong decision. The change made is good.
“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before it’s possible to move up. Our league is awesome. There are a few final touches being worked on to keep Elite League progressing, but there is no question it’s going in the right direction.”
Former NHL linesman Lyle Seitz heads up the new independent body, working with members of the IIHF’s Player Safety Committee (PSC), a global body established for overseeing player safety and discipline for a number of leagues throughout the hockey world.
Seitz and the PSC have agreed to continue to look at disciplinary incidents for the EIHL until an emergency board meeting takes place on November 8 to discuss DOPS and refereeing.
Simon Kirkham, the League’s head of referees, has been removed as the head of DOPS.
Lord’s Devils earned back-to-back wins against Coventry Blaze (7-2) and Fife Flyers (5-3) last weekend. They qualified for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals thanks to that home win against Blaze.
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Devils are hopeful that two or three of their injured players – Patrick Asselin, Justin Faryna, Mark Richardson and Joey Haddad – will be fit to return against Steelers in Cardiff Bay this Saturday (7pm).
That is Cardiff’s only match of the weekend and they will be fired up after being crushed 4-0 at Sheffield only a couple of weeks ago.
Lord linked up with Paul Crowder and Jake Morissette on an effective forward line last weekend, while Mark Louis moved into an offensive role.
“I like Lou up there,” said Lord. “We are down four key players and needed to get something going. He gives us more depth and allows us to keep the same lines.
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“Josh Batch and Craig Moore have been huge for us. They play the right way every night. Both compete hard and are physical. Josh has a big body, he skates well up and down the wing.
“He is a big presence and highly effective. I’m liking everything I see about his development. The sky is the limit for him going forward.”
Ticket information for Saturday’s League match against Sheffield is available via CLICK HERE or CALL 0800 0842 666