Leeb suspended for three games

Coventry Blaze forward Brad Leeb has been suspended for three games by the Elite League following his sucker punch on Jason Hewitt of the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night. He will miss the next two games, home to Cardiff and away at Dundee.

Head of Discipline Simon Kirkham stated that the league and referees would be vigilant against “unsavoury” events.

“I have reviewed the video and received reports from the referee and two linesman and I agree with the initial penalty call.

“It is important to clamp down on unsavoury incidents and the officials will be as vigilant as ever throughout the season in assuring that these incidents are penalised.”

Yet there appears to be no further punishment for Hewitt, whose cross-check from behind initiated the entire event. Hitting a player from behind with a fist seems to be seriously frowned upon but with a stick is only worthy of a game penalty.

The EIHL are yet again setting a dangerous precedent; if “unsavoury” incidents are to be stopped, as they should be, they need to act harshly on both the retaliation and the original event.

Leeb, who served one of his three game ban on Sunday night in the opposite Sheffield fixture, will return to Blaze action on Sunday night, making his home debut against the Fife Flyers.