Semi-Pro Hockey Team, The Danbury Whalers, Nearly Get INto A FIght With Opposing Fans And Security

Yahoo Sports- City Police Sgt. Dennis C. Lawlee said the fight broke out after an unidentified Watertown fan shoved a Danbury player, who was not in uniform for Monday night’s Federal Hockey League playoff game at the Watertown Municipal Arena at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

Seeing their teammate shoved, Danbury players left the bench and rushed to his aid, causing an arena security guard to be pushed down in the process, said Erin E. Gardner, the city’s parks and recreation superintendent.

Police identified the two Danbury players as forward Luke Warner and defenseman Steve Brown, who were both charged with second-degree harassment. They were given appearance tickets for Watertown City Court. Mr. Brown returned to play in the game, won by Watertown, 5-2. It was unclear if Mr. Warner returned to the game.

Ahh, the glorious life of a semi-pro hockey player. A life of alcoholism, violence, and womanizing. Hell, if they had a plane instead of a broken down old bus, million dollar contracts instead of playing for peanuts, and some more hockey talent it would basically be the NHL. Anyway, where are the Hanson Brothers when you need them? Couldn't have wrote them into this script? I bet it would have increased the entertainment value of this game and this altercation exponentially. 

Can someone tell me why the players were charged with second degree harassment? What happens at a semi-pro hockey game stays at a semi-pro hockey game. That's half the fun of it. It's one thing to taunt an NHL player that has a contract to worry about and a sheet of glass in front of him, but you are kind of asking for it when you start heckling a guy twice your size that has fallen short of his career goals, and wields a stick, from two feet away from him. Maybe stay in the bleachers bro. I can promise you these guys don't mind blowing their $200 paycheck to blow off some steam and decapitate you. Has history taught us nothing? The '79 Bruins would be appalled by these harassment charges. What a sign of the times. Can't even take exception when a fan wants to overstep his boundaries anymore.

I have played in more professionally run leagues that feature 50 year olds crushing their own six packs prior to puck drop. If you are going to pay these guys to play, maybe fork over a few shekels to get them some legitimate security from the bench to the locker room. Either that or turn a blind eye when they nearly get into a brawl with the fans. Hockey fans are so quick to criticize the on ice product without having played the sport themselves. Maybe these guys deserved a beat down. A little life lesson from some beleaguered hockey players. 'Slapshot' style...