Likely not pleased with Chad Katunar making 34 saves during a Penticton Vees 4-2 win over the Warriors in West Kelowna Dec. 29, a Warriors fan tried to grab him as the Vees exited the ice at Royal LePage Place.
Another fan, who recorded the incident and posted it on HockeyTube.net, said the attacker was yelling comments to Katunar throughout the game. Standing near a security guard, the fan made his move once Katunar was close. After getting his hand on Katunar’s shoulder, the fan engaged in an altercation with a Penticton Vees fan. The two ended up on the ground while the security guard tried to separate them.
Warriors owner Mark Cheyne said that fans are not allowed to be near the visiting team’s exit to the dressing room.
“They (security guard( obviously didn’t hold him back far enough,” said Cheyne. “They should have held him back another 10 or 15 feet.”
That is what will happen in the future to prevent another incident.
“It’s the first time it’s happened in the arena,” said Cheyne.
Cheyne was in his team office Wednesday morning and said he expected to receive calls asking about the incident. Cheyne spoke with the security guard that evening to change how they would deal with that type of situation. According to Cheyne, the fan was not under the influence of alcohol and doesn’t drink. The person is also a season ticket holder and he hasn’t spoken to him yet to find out what triggered his actions.
“I plan on dealing with that this week,” he said.
Cheyne said he’s considering banning the fan for the rest of the year but needs to know what he’s covered for legally. Cheyne said he spoke to Vees owner Frank Darin and coach-GM Fred Harbinson, neither of whom expressed concerns.
