A 20-game suspension to Penticton Vees captain Logan Johnston will postpone the magic his line with rookie Mario Lucia and Travis St. Denis created. It will also nix at least the next two months of playing time for injured Coquitlam Express player Cody Michelle which led to Johnston's lengthy ban.
Johnston's suspension stems from a cross-checking incident in the Vees' final exhibition game Sept. 17 against the Coquitlam Express. Johnston broke Express forward Cody Michelle's jaw with a nasty stick to the face, resulting in a crumpled and bloodied Michelle. Johnston came to the defence of St. Denis who allegedly was slashed behind the play.
Minus Johnston, the Vees still skated to a 5-2 win over the Express in the teams' B.C. Hockey League regular season opener before 794 fans Friday at Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex. On Saturday, the Express made it two straight defeats with a 6-1 loss to the host Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
"Obviously, we're pretty disappointed to lose him," Express general manager Darcy Rota told The Tri-City News of Michelle, who underwent surgery last Wednesday to wire his jaw. "He was going to be an important player for us this season."
Prior to learning how many games the suspension would be, Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said the league was trying to get everything together.
"It's tough because the video didn't show anything because the situation happened so far behind the play," said Harbinson, who is appealing the decision. "It's an unfortunate incident for everybody... we hope all the best for their player." While Rota said simply he felt 20 games was "the number I had in mind,"Harbinson insisted that Johnston wasn't trying to target the head.
While trying to send a message, Johnston's stick slid up the player's shoulder, he said. Johnston reserved comment regarding the incident.
"I know he feels really bad as our whole organization does," said Harbinson on Monday.
Last season, Johnston was suspended four games in December for a cross-checking incident.
On Friday, the Express and Vees were knotted 2-2 after the first period before Penticton pumped in the game's final three goals, including the final two 40 seconds apart early in the third period.
John Siemer and Alex Petan both scored on the powerplay for Coquitlam.
On Saturday, Petan's shorthanded effort was the only goal the Express could muster in a four-goal defeat in Port Alberni.
ICING: The Express host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Friday at the Poirier rink, 7 p.m.
