Rory Smith suspended one game, fourth game misconduct of 2010 season issued

March 26th, 2010 by Paul Tutka

Smith has now picked up his fourth game misconduct during this season. (Larry Palumbo)

The National Lacrosse League has concluded their investigation and review of the much talked about controversial hit Rory Smith lay on Tracey Kelusky last week, the league handing Smith a one game suspension, but not necessarily for the actual hit itself, but instead for the additional game misconduct the league has added to Smith’s gameday resume.

The additional game misconduct marks the fourth one Smith has received this year, which is an automatic game suspension. Players receive suspensions after accumulating three game misconducts in a single year (which Smith has already done this year), an additional game sit-down for every one picked up during that same season after that.

It is likely that the PLPA will appeal the suspension later today, allowing Smith to play in this upcoming weekend’s action (vs. Toronto Rock), but also allowing the player’s union to conduct their own investigation into the incident over the next week before deciding if they feel Smith’s case has enough merit to be taken in front of an arbitrator.

In a statement released by the NLL late last night, the league stated;

Upon review of the incident, the league has determined that Smith engaged in an avoidable body check to Kelusky above the shoulders after Kelusky had already shot the ball at the net. The check is in violation of NLL Rule 70 (Illegal Bodychecking). The league also found that Smith had taken more than two steps after Kelusky shot the ball, which is in violation of Rule 70.3. The league’s review of the incident included review of the game video as well as consideration of any statements submitted by the participants. As per Rule 70.8, the league has assessed Smith a game misconduct.

So while the hit itself was not necessarily enough to sit Smith down for a game, his actions during the game, which now sees him handed an additional game misconduct for his actions stated above, is worthy of an automatic one-game suspension when added to his other misconducts this winter.

Smith’s previous game misconduct calls all came within a single game however, a penalty and fight filled affair against the Philadelphia Wings in the NLL’s season opening game, and were already initially appealed, but removed by the PLPA shortly after.

The much talked about Week 11 hit on Kelusky has the Calgary captain on the shelf for this upcoming weekend’s game, the league’s current leading goal scorer out with concussion-like symptoms. The Roughnecks play the Minnesota Swarm at the Pengrowth Saddledome tonight.