Edmonton hockey handshake brawl a ‘travesty to the game’: Officials

An exciting minor hockey playoff game ended on a sour note at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre in southwest Edmonton, resulting in several suspensions and condemnations.

An exciting minor hockey playoff game Sunday ended on a sour note at the Terwillegar Recreation Centre in southwest Edmonton, resulting in several suspensions and condemnations.

It happened after a U18 Tier 1 playoff game between the South East Edmonton Recreation Association — team SE701 — and Stony Plain Minor Hockey Predators  — team SN701.

The game went to an overtime shootout, ending in a 4-3 victory for Stony Plain.

“The game was very competitive. It was a great game. And they ended up in an overtime victory for one of the teams,” said Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL) president John Putters.

Following the big win, the team began the traditional giving of handshakes — until a player raised his fist and hit another teenager.

After the first punch was thrown, more players from both teams of 15, 16 and 17-year-old boys got involved and a brawl broke out.

There was a pile up near the boards. Referees and a coach could be seen trying to break up the fight.

The brawl was recorded on video that was then posted online.