The Coquitlam Adanacs and Brampton Excelsiors will play game two of their best-of-five Minto Cup championship series tonight at the Max Bell Arena in Calgary. The opening face-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Mountain Time (7 p.m. Pacific Time).
The decision to play the game came after a day of protracted negotiations between tournament organizers, the Canadian Lacrosse Association, and referees who refused to leave their dressing room prior to Wednesday’s scheduled second game, forcing its cancellation. The officials were upset that an automatic mandatory three-game suspension levied against Excelsiors scoring star, Jeff Teat, had been overturned by an appeals committee. Teat and Brampton head coach Dan Teat were assessed match penalties for abuse of officials in the waning moments of Tuesday’s series opener. The penalties, according to CLA rules, carry an additional three-game suspension.
But a late appeal of Jeff Teat’s suspension just hours prior to the start of Wednesday’s game resulted in its reversal and the referees assigned to work that game refused to leave their dressing room.
The agreement to continue the series will allow Jeff Teat to play, but Dan Teat will not be permitted behind the Excelsiors’ bench. The referees will also not be disciplined for their refusal to work Wednesday’s second game.
“The Minto Cup committee supports the referees and their concerns,” said a Tweet posted to the tournament’s official account. The committee promised a further statement would be forthcoming.
The Adanacs lead the series 1-0 after they won Tuesday's opener, 11-9.
