WMU's Washe Gets 2-Game Suspension For Treatment of Officials

CHN Staff Report

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  The NCHC has issued a two-game suspension to Western Michigan junior forward Paul Washe, following a situation last weekend where he confronted officials two different times.

In the second period of the team's game last weekend against St. Cloud State, Washe was given a slashing minor on a play around the net during a Broncos power play. He was then hit from behind by a St. Cloud State player, though that didn't lead to a penalty. Washe argued the play as he was being taken to the box, and appeared to lightly push the linesman away from him, leading to a misconduct. Because of the 12 minutes in penalties at that point, which meant his penalty wouldn't end until the following period, he was being escorted off the ice when he again lightly pushed the linesman away from him. At that point, the penalty was changed to a game misconduct.

The league reviewed the incident, and determined that Washe violated Rule 40.1 (Abuse of Officials) and Rule 41 (Physical Abuse of Officials) of the NCAA Rules and Interpretations. "In addition, the actions were found in violation to the NCHC Student-Athlete Code of Conduct," the league said.

Washe's season high in penalty minutes had been 23, set last year as a sophomore. The 12 minutes in penalties accrued Saturday puts him at 26 for this season.



Washe will sit out WMU's weekend series in Omaha, and is eligible to return against RPI on Friday, Feb. 7.