On Wednesday, Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder was suspended for one game by the CHA executive committee for inappropriate postgame conduct following the Purple Eagles’ loss Saturday at Bemidji State.
Bemidji State won that contest, 3-2, on a pair of third-period power-play goals, taking a share of first place in the CHA as a result. Late in the second period with the game tied at one, Niagara’s Hannu Karru was assessed multiple penalties for a spearing incident, and Bemidji State capitalized to take the lead.
The Beavers then got a second man-up tally from Marty Goulet, on a separate power play late in the game, to claim the win.
Burkholder had a heated discussion with the referee, tipped over a goal and eventually was restrained by his players as the teams left the ice.
Afterward, Burkholder, was critical of the officiating. He was quoted on Niagara’s website as saying, “To come all this way and play for first place, and have to kill off 13 minutes in penalties in the third period, on the road without even one power play, is a travesty to college hockey.”
“Coach Burkholder’s postgame actions and comments were inappropriate, and Niagara will accept the league’s sanctions without appeal,” Niagara athletic director Mike Hermann said.
The disqualification will be served Friday when Niagara hosts Wayne State. Burkholder is expected to return to the bench Saturday for the second game of the weekend series.
