NJCAA hockey player facing charges after leveling referee during championship game

Scuffles and brawls often break out in hockey, but one NCJAA player took the violence to an uncalled for level during a title game on Sunday.

Erie Community College freshman Brandon Day is facing charges after attacking a referee during a NCJAA hockey championship game on Sunday, according to SUNY Broome Police.

After a brief scuffle between the players on the ice during the third period of the title game, Day stormed out of the penalty box onto the ice and leveled the referee who had broken up the fight.

Day was taken into custody after the game and the incident remains under investigation.

Erie was losing 7–4 to Dakota College at Bottineau in the championship game. With 39 seconds left, the game was called while the referee was tended to.

Watch video of the incident below.

The NJCAA said it is reviewing the incident and released the following statement:

"The NJCAA national office has been made aware of the incident that occurred during its hockey championship game and will take all necessary steps to gather as much information from tournament officials and local authorities regarding violations to the association’s sportsmanship code. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in the NJCAA," said Mark Krug, the NJCAA assistant executive director.

The game was the last-ever NJCAA national hockey tournament final, so the tradition will end on a sour note.