NJCAA hockey player facing charges after attacking referee (Video)

<em>Erie’s Brandon Day levels a referee at the end of the NJCAA championship game. (YouTube)</em>
Erie’s Brandon Day levels a referee at the end of the NJCAA championship game. (YouTube)

A community college hockey player is facing charges after attacking a referee at the end of the NJCAA championship game in Binghamton, N.Y., on Sunday.

With 39 seconds remaining in the third period and his team trailing 7-4, Erie Community College freshman Brandon Day charged out of the penalty box and levelled the referee to the ice.

The officials called the game immediately after, giving the Dakota College of Bottineau Lumberjacks their 10th and final title. With only five member schools, the NJCAA decided to drop the men’s hockey championship after this season.

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Day was placed in police custody after the game and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct, SUNY Broome Community College Public Safety Chief Joe O’Connor told the Buffalo News. More charges could be coming as the incident is still beign investigated.

The 19-year-old, who is due in court on March 21, was also suspended one week by school administrators, who released the following statement about the incident on Monday:

“The act of one player is in no way indicative of our mission as an educational institution, and it does not personify the cordiality and dedication to service instilled in our student body,” said college president Jack Quinn. “We regret that this instance marred an otherwise thrilling game between our student athletes and those of Dakota College of Bottineau, and we will handle this situation with all appropriate disciplinary actions.”

According to Quinn and ECC athletic director Peter Jerebko, Day has expressed remorse for his actions and plans on reaching out to the referee.