Falcons forfeit win
The St. Catharines Falcons are without two points they earned after they were found to have used an ineligible player in their 4-3 shootout win at Caledonia Saturday.
The Falcons were forced to forfeit the game after dressing 15-year-old associated players (APs) Nicholas Kilby and Marcus Sulug. Teams are only permitted to dress only one 15-year-old per game.
“First and foremost, I want to apologize to our players and our fans,” Falcons general manager/coach Tyler Bielby said. “Players have been facing a lot of adversity with the injury bug and went into Caledonia Saturday and put in a great effort to walk away seemingly with what we thought were those two points.
“With no intention, we made a mistake of dressing two APs in the age group of the (20)08 category which is an OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation) rule. It was a rule we were unaware of. Having said that, that’s not an excuse. It ends with me, and as a result, we will get back to work and do our best to make it up.”
The Falcons have been hit with an unusual amount of injuries, particularly on the blueline, where Mitch Dmytrow (out 4-6 weeks, broken leg), William Moore (broken hand) and Trent Vaillancourt (meniscus) were unable to dress Saturday.
“It’s a tricky situation,” Bielby said. “We had a player suspended from Friday night’s game and we woke up to that Saturday morning and with seven guys who are normally in our lineup out with injury, we had discussions we thought we were on the up and up but it’s up to us to make sure we find that fine print and make sure those rules are followed.”
Bielby indicated another organization brought the situation to the attention of the league.
“Our understanding is someone did bring it to their attention, but the league decided not to share that with us,” he said.
The Falcons now find themselves in third spot with a 10-4-0-1 mark, six points in arrears of the Corvairs who hold down first place with a 13-2-0-1 record. Had they not forfeited, the Falcons would be only two points out of first.
“I’m frustrated, I’m upset, but I also know as the general manager this ends with me,” Bielby added. “I take ownership and make sure they know I’m extremely proud of the way they played and prepared that night and that they know, when the buzzer rang, they know what the final score was in that game.”
Going forward, Bielby said the Falcons will have to continue to relay on midgets from coach Brody Kritsch’s Niagara North Stars.
“We’re banged up. We’re facing a little adversity but it’s something we’re embracing,” he said. “It gives APs an opportunity to play at this level and get better at their game.”
As well, forwards Owen Simpson and Dallys Hibbert have moved back from forward to play on the blueline for the time being.
“We’re going to continue to lean on some guys that are playing not their natural positions and doing a great job,” Bielby said. “We believe in the group we have. That’s why I’m as devastated as I am because I think these boys deserve better and that’s on me, but I know how they’ll respond. This is a high character group and this will give them fuel to continue to get better.”
The Falcons are home to Hamilton Friday and at Port Colborne Saturday.
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