Scratched junior hockey player forced to take over behind team bench
A very unusual situation took place during Friday night's Ontario Hockey League game between the Sarnia Sting and Saginaw Spirit.
Sarnia Sting overage forward and Florida Panthers prospect Kai Schwindt was not in the team's lineup for their final home game of the 2023-24 season on Friday night. In order to be closer to his teammates, the Sting allowed Schwindt to serve as an assistant coach during the game.
But late in the game, the Sarnia Sting were left in an awkward position with Kai Schwindt being the only coach on their bench for a brief period of time.
Late in the third period, Sarnia head coach Alan Letang and assistant coach Michael Haley were ejected from the game by the officials, leaving Kai Schwindt as the only coach on the Sting's bench for one mintue until general manager Dylan Seca rushed down from the press box for the final two minutes of the contest.
"In all my years, this is a new one...Sarnia Sting Coach Al Letang got ejected, and then later Assistant Micheal Haley was ejected. Leaving the Sting with no coach until GM Dylan Seca ran down from the pressbox. OA Kai Schwindt was on the bench, and about to take over." OHL reporter Terry Doyle said in a post on X.
The Sting, who are already eliminated from playoff contention, would go on to lose to Saginaw by a score of 4-2. Schwindt's junior hockey career will come to a close on Saturday night against Flint Firebirds, but it's safe to say that he'll remember this moment for a very long time.
POLL |
MARS 23 | 129 ANSWERS Scratched junior hockey player forced to take over behind team bench Do you follow the Ontario Hockey League? |
Yes | 37 | 28.7 % |
Only for prospect of my favourite NHL team | 17 | 13.2 % |
No | 75 | 58.1 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Tom Banks Brandon Hagel Puts the Final Nail in the Coffin After Latest Shot at the Tkachuk Brothers and Team USA |
|
2 hours ago | By Tom Banks Brady Tkachuk and Insider Both Give Devastating Update On Matthew Tkachuk's Injury Situation |
|
3 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Brad Marchand Puts the Tkachuk Brothers on Blast Following Championship Win |
|
17 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Team Canada Star Defenseman Ruled Out Moments Before Final Showdown with Team USA |
|
17 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery American Reporter Mocks Connor McDavid Hours Ahead of the Biggest Game of his Life |
|
19 hours ago | By Tom Banks NHL Players Reportedly Prioritizing Four Nations: Will Miss Time With Their Teams |
|
22 hours ago | By Tom Banks Charlie McAvoy Sends Team USA and the World a Message After Leaving the Hospital |
|
23 hours ago | By Tom Banks New York Islanders Place Former First Round Pick on Waivers |
Previously on Bladeofsteel