B.C. hockey player may face assault charge

A Victoria, B.C., hockey player could face an assault charge following an incident that occurred during a game between the Victoria Salmon Kings and the Las Vegas Wranglers on March 1.

Victoria police have concluded there is enough evidence to recommend the Crown lay an assault charge against Salmon Kings left-winger Robin Gomez for hitting Las Vegas Wranglers forward Chris Ferraro, said Sgt. Grant Hamilton.

After the game, Ferraro filed a complaint with police that Gomez had jumped off the bench and sucker-punched him.

Ferraro hit his head on the ice, and required eight stitches to close the cut.

Gomez received a minor penalty for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and a match penalty for the second-period incident.

He was later fined by the East Coast Hockey League and suspended for the rest of the season and the playoffs. The Salmon Kings have said they don't condone his behaviour.

Victoria police Sgt. Grant Hamilton said the decision to recommend charges came after the players involved were interviewed.

"Because it's in a sport environment … we've all seen those things over the years, obviously Mr. Bertuzzi, and a few other incidents," said Hamilton, referring to former Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi's assault on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche during and NHL game in 2004.

Crown prosecutors now have to decide whether Gomez's punch was criminal or just part of the game, said Hamilton.

"Like I said, if it's out of the scope of what can normally be expected in a game and what the intent of Mr. Gomez was when he punched Mr. Ferraro," said Hamilton.

A March 2 report on the Salmon Kings website said an ugly incident had overshadowed an otherwise riveting ECHL game at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

At one point, Las Vegas led the game 5-1 and hung on to edge the surging Salmon Kings 5-4 before 5,471 boisterous fans.