Where's Mike Curtis When You Need Him...???

((HT: SportingNews/MOSCOW2))

One fan in Russia decided to deliver a few shots as junior league players from Canada and the home team fought on Saturday at a Regions Center Cup match.

Here's what happened next...


Thankfully, Canada's Jayson Reardon restored order...

Canada won the game by the way...

DEVELOPING: Cormier Avoids Record With Guilty Plea

Atlanta Thrashers winger Patrice Cormier will not have a criminal record despite pleading guilty to an assault charge stemming from his ice-plowing of Mikael Tam last season.

Cormier, who originally pleaded not guilty last month, changed his plea when he appeared in court. He will not have a criminal record, meaning he will be able to travel to the United States.

Thus, being able to keep his job at present...

To recap, Cormier was playing for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last January when he elbowed Quebec Remparts defenseman Mikael Tam in the head.

Here's the story as it appeared back then...
FOSG John Lu was with the Remparts...
((HT: TSN/Youtube))


Tam spent a night in hospital after the blow and returned to the lineup shortly thereafter. Cormier was suspended for the season.

The judge granted the discharge after an agreement was reached among the parties.

DEVELOPING: Cormier Pleads Not Guilty In On-Ice Assault Charge

Atlanta Thrashers prospect Patrice Cormier has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge comming from an elbow thrown during a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game last season.

Cormier was playing for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last January when he absolutely plowed Quebec Remparts defenseman Mikael Tam with a blow to the head. He was charged with assault causing injury. He was suspended for the remainder of his junior hockey career.

Cormier wasn't in court Monday when a lawyer entered the plea on his behalf. He is currently nursing a broken foot during Atlanta Thrashers training camp.

Tam spent a night in hospital and returned to the lineup shortly after.

Here's how the story broke at the time...
((HT: TSN/Youtube))


And the follow-up with FOSG John Lu...
((HT: TSN/Youtube))

Cormier now facing charges

((ht: ajc.com/canadian national post/cbc))

Back in January we told you about and showed you a vicious elbow thrown by Patrice Cormier of the QMJHL Rouyn-Norada Huskies and at the time a property of the New Jersey Devils.

Since that time, Cormier has been shelved, suspended for the remainder of the QMJHL season and been a part of the Devils trade with the Atlanta Thrashers for Ilya Kovalchuk.

((Patrice Cormier//Courtesy: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images))

Now comes word that the Prosecutor in Royun-Norada Province of Quebec has decided to file charges based on that play. If convicted, Cormier could be facing as much as 18 years in prison.

More from the Canadian National Post RIGHT HERE

The CBC went to Cormier's hometown for reaction, read about it RIGHT HERE

This will be an interesting case to follow. Cormier has had a good run with his "time off". He was the captain of Canada's Gold medal winning Junior Hockey Team. He's also being counted on as someone to help improve the somewhat woeful Atlanta Thrashers.

For those who haven't seen it, here is Sportsnet's take at the time...
FOSG Martine Gaillard takes the lead...
((HT: Rogers Sportsnet/HockeyHighlightsPlus))

Cormier Suspension Upheld On Appeal

((HT: QMJHL))

Atlanta Thrashers prospect Patrice Cormier has lost his appeal of a suspension for the remainder of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season and playoffs for his elbow on the Quebec Remparts' Mikael Tam back on January 25th.

Cormier, selected in the second round of the 2008 draft by New Jersey and traded to the Thrashers in the Ilya Kovalchuk deal earlier this month, has been under suspension by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since the hit.

Tam spent two days in the hospital because the injuries.

Cormier appealed the penalty in a hearing before league commissioner Gilles Courteau on February 11. Courteau announced his final decision today.

Cormier's junior team, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, can still appeal the ruling to an independent arbitor, or Cormier can petition to play in an independent league for the remainder of the 2010 season.

To review, here's the hit that got Cormier in trouble and causes the Thrashers not to have him as a body in their minor league system.
((HT: QMJHL/TSN))

Scandella Gets 15 For Junior League Elbow

((HT: TSN))

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has suspended Val-d'Or Foreurs defenseman Marco Scandella 15 games for hitting an opponent in the head.

He popped Rimouski Oceanic forward Alexandre Durette during a game last Wednesday and had been on indefinite suspension since.

"We will continue to be very stern regarding hits to the head as well as towards any gestures which could compromise the well-being of our players," QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a statement.

"Moreover, we remain in constant contact with the Rimouski Oceanic organization in order to get updates on Alexandre's health and progress."

Scandella was considered one of Canada's top defensemen at this year's world junior hockey championship.

Scandella's incident is the third of that variety this year. The last one to cross the HQ's bow was the Patrice Cormier elbow on Mikael Tam a few weeks ago. While Scandella's is not as serious, it's still wrong and sets a disturbing trend in juniors from this season.

Here's the incident again for those of you who missed it the first time...
((HT: HockeyWebcast))

Another QMJHL Suspension For Head Shot...

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has suspended Val-d'Or Foreurs defenceman Marco Scandella indefinitely for hitting an opponent in the head Wednesday against the Rimouski Oceanic.

"This afternoon, (QMJHL disciplinarian) Raymond Bolduc informed me of his decision to suspend Marco Scandella indefinitely," league commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a statement. "After seeing the hit, I believe it is the right decision while the disciplinary process runs its course.

"Our position is clear: We have a responsibility to protect our players. Their safety is our No. 1 priority."

Scandella was considered to be one of Canada's top defencemen at this year's world junior hockey championship.

No timetable regarding when a decision by Bolduc...

If the Cormier suspension is anything, the HQ thinks that Scandella is next...
We'd also like to know what it is with kids that play in the "Q" in the first place...

Elbows up... here's the hit...

((HT: RDS))

Tam And Cormier Speak Before Sentencing

((HT: TSN/CP))

Separately, not to each other...

Mikael Tam came forth today to hold a press conference with the Quebec Remparts personnel in Quebec City. It's the frst time he's discussed the elbow to the head from Patrice Cormier over the weekend.

"Today I am not sure how long I will be away from the game," Tam admitted. "I have suffered a traumatic brain injury, I have lost a few teeth and I feel very tired. With the help of the medical staff, my goal is to return to the ice at some point."

FOSG John Lu was there to hear Tam's side of what he actually does remember...
((HT: TSN))


Cormier granted one interview before the sentencing to RDS and the S30 program...
But, we warn you... it's all in French...
((HT: RDS))


Basically, the gist is that Cormier said it was a "reflex."

Helluva reflex there, kid...

QMJHL: Another Long-Ass Win Streak Is Here, Too...

((HT: GlobeSports))

The Saint John Sea Dogs are inching closer to history.

Saint John has now won 21 consecutive games, good for third all-time in QMJHL history.

The 1995-96 Hull Olympiques are second with a 24-game winning streak and the 1973-74 Sorel Eperviers have the longest run at 25.

The Sea Dogs will have chance to extend their record Saturday night when they play the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

Here's win 20 against the Lewiston Maineiacs from earlier in the week...
((HT: QMJHL/SeaDogsTV))