Malott, Struble Suspended After End of Game Kerfuffle

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – On Monday, November 13, the American Hockey League’s Player Safety Committee announced that Laval Rocket defenseman Jayden Struble was suspended for three games and Manitoba Moose forward Jeff Malott suspended for one game. These suspensions come after a large kerfuffle broke out after the final horn sounded on Sunday, November 12.

With a few seconds left on the clock, Manitoba forward Nikita Chibrikov chased down Laval defender Brady Keeper and took a few whacks at the puck while they both were skating by the net. The horn sounded while both players skated behind the back of the net — nothing crazy to write home about. But then, without any notable warning, Keeper aggressively cross-checked Chibrikov up high.

Next thing you knew, the ice was flooded with players as if someone just yelled “OPEN UP THE PIT” at a rock concert.

Moose defender Artemi Kniazev came rushing across the ice towards Rocket forward Nathan Légaré. It looked as though they were going to share some spirited words with one another (you know, the kind of words you can’t say on television or in front of small children). Unfortunately, the conversation ended before it even started when Struble casually clotheslined Kniazev.

At this point, Malott had enough and joined the shenanigans along the boards. He was able to get a few punches in and spouted out a few flowery yet angry words before the refs pulled everyone apart.

Ce combat à la fin du match Laval Rocket vs Manitoba Moose le dimanche 12 novembre 2023 a entraîné la suspension de Jayden Struble (LAV) et Jeff Malott (MB).

Struble a été suspendu pour trois matchs. Malott a reçu une suspension d'un match.#GoMooseGo #GoRocket https://t.co/3CnS0UpFZ4 pic.twitter.com/HXTosMBxbx

— Full Press AHL (@FPC_AHL) November 14, 2023

When the dust settled, four players earned penalties – Keeper, Struble, Kniazev, and Malott. So, what were the penalties and what does the rulebook say about them?

Roughing (Rule 51)

Jayden Struble: 2 minutes
Artemi Kniazev: 2 minutes

“51.1 Roughing – Roughing is a punching or slamming motion, with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent, or if a player intentionally removes an opponent’s helmet during play pursuant to Rule 9.6.

Roughing is a minor altercation that is not worthy of a major penalty to either participant. (An altercation is a situation involving two players, with at least one to be penalized).”

Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Rule 75)

Jayden Struble: 2 minutes
Jeff Malott: 2 minutes

“75.1 Unsportsmanlike conduct – Players and non-playing Club personnel are responsible for their conduct at all times and must endeavor to prevent disorderly conduct before, during or after the game, on or off the ice and any place in the rink.  The Referees may assess penalties to any of the above team personnel for failure to do so.

NOTE: When such conduct is directed at an official, Rule 39 – Abuse of Officials shall be applied. “

“75.2 Minor Penalty – A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed under this rule for the following infractions:

• Any identifiable player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at any person.
• Any player who is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct including, but not limited to hair-pulling, biting, grabbing hold of a face mask, etc. If warranted, and specifically when injury results, the referee may apply Rule 21 – Match Penalties
• Any player who throws an object onto the ice from the players’ or penalty bench (or from any other off-ice location)
• A player who deliberately removes his jersey prior to participating in an altercation or who is clearly wearing a jersey that has been modified and does not conform to Rul 9 – Uniforms, shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct. If the altercation never materializes, the player would receive a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten-minute misconduct for deliberately removing his jersey.

If a penalized player is assessed an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty either before or after he begins serving his original penalty(ies), the additional minor penalty is added to his unexpired time and served consecutively. “

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Game Misconduct Penalty – Leaving the Bench (70.6)

Jayden Struble: 10 minutes
Jeff Malott: 10 minutes

“70.6 Game Misconduct Penalty – A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on the player who was the first or second player to leave the players’ or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation, from either or both teams.”

Match – Cross-checking (59.4)

Brady Keeper: 15 minutes

“59.1 Cross-Checking – The action of using the shaft of the stick between the two hands to forcefully check an opponent.

59.4 Match Penalty – The Referee, at his or her discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his or her judgement, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by cross-checking.”

Both Struble and Malott missed the Laval and Manitoba rematch on November 13. Also, Struble will miss Laval’s games Wednesday, Nov. 15 vs. Belleville and Friday, Nov. 17 vs. Lehigh Valley.