League fines owner, suspends referee after fight

DANBURY, Conn. -- A minor hockey league team owner accused of hitting a linesman was fined Thursday, and the linesman who claims he was punched was suspended for five game.

United Hockey League president Richard Brosal said he could not prove whether Danbury Trashers owner James Galante hit linesman James Harper after a game last week, but issued the fine for Galante leaving the owner's box. Brosal described the fine as significant, but would not disclose the amount.

Harper received a harsher penalty because he got into a shouting match that led up the scuffle, Brosal said.

"We wouldn't be having this conversation if Jimmy Harper had just skated away like any other linesman would have done," Brosal said.

Harper's lawyer said the linesman was surprised by the suspension.

"It still looks to me like they're sticking up for the owner rather than the referee, but I don't know the reasoning behind it," attorney Joseph Lamendola said.

Galante left his skybox during a particularly violent game between the Trashers and the Kalamazoo Wings. After the game, Harper said Galante met him in the penalty box and punched him.

Brosal said it's unclear what happened because of a commotion in the penalty box.

Prosecutors charged Galante with misdemeanor assault.

Messages left for Galante and his attorney were not immediately returned.

Brosal said he issued Galante a written warning threatening suspension. Harper's penalty will cost him about $500 in lost pay, Brosal said.