The ECAC has suspended Cornell men’s hockey coach Mike Schafer one game for his comments about Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold following the Big Red’s 1-0 loss to the Bobcats on Saturday night.
The league took action in accordance with Section VI (Conduct and Ethic) of ECAC Hockey Policies and Procedures, according to the ECAC’s release on the suspension.
Schafer will miss Cornell’s next game on Friday vs. Clarkson. According to the New Haven Register‘s Chip Malafronte it’s Schafer’s fifth league suspension in the last 10 years.
Following the announcement of the suspension, Schafer apologized in a statement from Cornell men’s hockey.
Schafer said:
“I’d like apologize for using profane language in my postgame comments on Saturday evening following our contest against Quinnipiac. My language was unnecessary, and I did not represent Cornell and our hockey program in a first-class manner.
“Cole Bardreau, who had previously suffered a serious neck injury, was run into the boards from behind in the game,” Schafer added. “Cole’s status continues to be evaluated, but the hit on Saturday may force him to miss future games. I was angry that there was no recognition of the seriousness of the play and let my emotions get the best of me after the contest. The safety of student-athletes is paramount to me. I have apologized to Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold for my comments.”
Andy Noel, the Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, also issued a statement in the release.
Noel said:
“I respect Coach Schafer’s passion and respect for the health of his student-athletes,” said Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “He used inappropriate words to describe how he was understandably upset at the situation. The Cornell Department of Athletics and Physical Education understands ECAC Hockey’s decision to suspend Coach Schafer for this isolated incident.”
The post-game clip in its entirety is available below.
DISCLAIMER: The following audio clip contains explicit language.
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