WHL suspends Blazers Oneybuchi and Rockets Bruggen-Cate

Feb 5, 2019 | 3:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — Following an investigation into an incident in a game in Kelowna last weekend between the Rockets and Kamloops Blazers the Western Hockey League has handed down suspensions to two players — one from each team.

In the third period of Kelowna’s 2-1 overtime win defenceman Montana Oneybuchi of the Blazers dropped the gloves and faught Rockets player Conner Bruggen-Cate.

Bruggen-Cate did’nt fight back.

Oneybuchi was assessed a five minute major for fighting and a game misconduct.

There was no penalty against Bruggen-Cate.

Today the league suspended Oneybuchi two games for a one man fight.

Bruggen-Cate has also been suspended for two games for what the league describes as “actions during the game versus Kamloops on February 2nd.

“There’s not really much to comment on.” says Blazers head coach Serge Lajoie.   “Happy that it was in the hands of the WHL office — the kind of research that they needed to do and came down with a ruling.   We’re just happy that it was addressed.    It was a situation where it really got to Montana (Oneybuchi).   My approach was that we wanted to make sure that Montana was supported, wanted to make sure that he felt he was supported by his teammates, by the organization (Blazers), by the league.    That’s why it was important for the league to do the due diligence — for us to be there to support Montana regardless of what transpired.”