ICE HOCKEY: COVENTRY Blaze coach Danny Stewart has defended Danick Paquette’s actions during last night’s home game against Edinburgh, which resulted in the 27-year-old being handed a match penalty.
Paquette was thrown into the boards at high speed when Edinburgh’s defenceman ducked an oncoming hit – a move known in hockey as ‘submarining’.
Submarining is frowned upon in the hockey world, and a frustrated Paquette took his anger out on the Edinburgh D-man by punching him with multiple uppercuts – despite the Capitals man covering his head while down on the ice.
But coach Stewart defended Paquette’s actions, and said skaters should face the consequences when pulling off ‘dangerous’ moves.
He said: “If you’re going to make a play like that then you need to hold yourself accountable and face the consequences.
“Danick went to finish a hit and got submarined. He went face first into the boards.
“I was upset at first but after watching the video I can understand why he was angry.
“It’s a dangerous play, especially around the boards.”
Paquette’s punching power prompted Capitals’ netminder Pavel Shegalo to storm into the action by throwing a blocker punch at the Blaze man.
Shegalo picked up a 2+2 penalty for roughing.
And in the process he caused some damage to Paquette.
Stewart said: “Danick’s not in a great way himself after the blocker he took to the face.
“Otherwise we’re generally healthy. I’m happy where we’re at.
“We’re hanging on by a thread in the Challenge Cup and we must get our powerplay going.
“Not taking chances on the powerplay is probably why we’ve ended up on the wrong side of tight games. Getting our powerplay right will make a big difference.”
Stewart will have to shuffle his tactical mind as Paquette’s penalty means he will miss this Saturday’s Challenge Cup fixture at Cardiff, a game Blaze must win if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Picture: Scott Wiggins Photography.
