CruikShank Gets Nine Game Ban

Last updated : 08 December 2010 By PM

Coventry Blaze forward Brad Cruikshank has received a nine-game suspension from the Elite League for his involvement in the second-period bench clearance against Nottingham Panthers at the Skydome on Saturday night.

The Canadian was awarded two match penalties on the night - an automatic two-game ban - with one for obscene gestures and one for excessive roughness.

As per Elite League suspension tariffs, an additional one-match penalty is added to each offence for a total of four matches.

However, Cruikshank has also been hit by an extra five-match ban for leaving the linesman to run Nottingham Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski after being thrown out of the game.

Cruikshank has already served one game - the 3-1 loss at Newcastle Vipers on Sunday - and will not be ready to return until the trip to Braehead Clan on January 4.

Team-mate Aaron Nell has been handed a one-game ban for leaving the penalty box to join an altercation and will sit out Saturday's home clash with Hull Stingrays.

Coach Paul Thompson has received a two-match ban as per sundry penalties in the Elite League rules in the event of a bench clearance.

It means assistant coach Luc Chabot will run the bench against Stingrays on Saturday and at Sheffield Steelers on Sunday.