Coventry Blaze consider suspensions appeal

Thompson will not be allowed to be on the bench for two Elite League games

Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson says they are considering an appeal against the bans for their part in Saturday night's mass brawl against Nottingham.

Brad Cruickshank received a nine-game ban, along with Aaron Nell (one match) and Thompson himself, banned for two.

But Thompson told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire said: "I can't put it into words I'm so appalled.

"We'll look at it and go back and speak to the league and see where we can go from here."

Blaze beat Panthers 2-1 at the Skydome, but the match received much attention for the bench clearance by both sides in the second period.

As well as punishing Coventry, the Elite League's disciplinary committee suspended four Nottingham players, as well as their bench coach, for a total of 17 matches when they returned their findings following a review on Wednesday.

But Thompson feels that his squad has been hit too severely.

"Cruikshank's had a nine-game ban," he said. "And all he did was skate over to a goalie.

"I held my bench back and the reason why players jumped was because they had 19 players on the ice to our six.

"And then I've been given a ban as well so it's very frustrating right now.

"It's a huge blow because we're so down on numbers. Matt Soderstrom's out, Jonathan Weaver's out and Robert Farmer and Tom Murdy go away with GB."

Blaze drew 4-4 with Manchester Phoenix in Wednesday's first leg of their Best of British fixture.

The return match in Altrincham is next Thursday (16 December).