EXCITING GAMES

Last week-end were the fifth games of the regular season and several teams arrived with the will to win and, for those who had difficulty playing as a team, to find an identity. We had four good tight games on Saturday, with scores not exceeding two goals. All the teams showed a better collective effort, better defended their goalkeeper and played to win as a team. The result was an evening where the results were closer to what we expected compared to the last few weeks when some teams just gave up after a few goals. Proof that playing as a team, using your strengths and working on your weaknesses can pay off. If the trend continues, perhaps we can avoid trades this season, which are always complex to achieve and not always with a happy result. Unless there is an extraordinary situation, the league management is not planning any changes at this time.

A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

It has been brought to our attention on several occasions that many players, from all the teams, often played at the limit of what is considered legal and gave out useless cheap shots in battles for the control of the puck. Forearm slashes and especially hits to the head, whether voluntary or not, are dangerous and can cause serious and long-term damage. Last Saturday, during the last match of the night between the Barbarians and the Torpedoes, such blows were carried repeatedly against at least two of the Torpedoes players, including two shots to the head that were dangerous in addition to being useless . The frustration generated by the blows will have spilled over after one of the Torpedoes' players took his revenge against the player who had previously hit him in the head, punching him in the face, in front of players who did not believe their eyes. This kind of behavior is so unusual in the LFA that it took a few seconds for them to react and separate the two men.

This kind of situation is totally against the spirit of the league, and will be evaluated in depth by taking into account the testimonies collected from the witneses. As in many situations in life, several factors will be taken into consideration in order to determine the sanctions to be applied to the players involved. Be aware, however, that the league management will not only investigates the hit in the room but also the behavior of many players in general, not just those involved in this altercation.

Those who do not respect their opponents as they would like to be respected in return will have to look themselves in the mirror and change the way they play if they want to stay in the league.

RULES WILL BE ENFORCED
 

Following several incidents of cheapshots or trash talk, the league intends to strictly enforce section 3 of the LFA's hockey regulations, which states:
The President and the Dean of Discipline reserve the right to expel and suspend anyone on the spot or after investigation, and this
-no matter the decision of the referee (s) of the game.
-for acts committed without the knowledge of the referee (s).
-following an official complaint corroborated by witnesses and / or video.
** Any act or behavior deemed excessive is punishable by a suspension, depending on its nature and seriousness, at the discretion of the LFA Direction and the Dean of Discipline.

The LFA is a competitive but above all a friendly league, you all know it. The vast majority of players and league members respect this vision, and we enjoy playing hockey with players who were or will be our opponents someday. Most of us share a few beers with players we just played against on the ice, even after some arguments that are inherent to hockey. This camaraderie is vital and we encourage you to fully experience the hockey the league offers and chance to watch a game while drinking a few and making your voice heard from the stands by supporting the teams on the ice. Make new friends in the stands, who will in turn be your teammates or opponents one day!

Even better, join the gang for our post-games get togethers, which are a golden opportunity to get to know each other and have a good laugh with great food as bonus! Several on ice arguments have been settled around a pint and several friendships were born at La Cabane or at McCarold's pub, our after game hangouts.

Have a good week, play for fun!
Jacob Poliquin