OHL player gets season ban for hit
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The Ontario Hockey League has reacted strongly to a hit that put a Kitchener Rangers defenceman in critical condition, suspending Michael Liambas of the Erie Otters for the remainder of the season.
Ben Fanelli, who is now listed in serious but stable condition, suffered skull and facial fractures after he was hit into the boards during the Oct. 30 game.
The suspension of Liambas, 20, will include the playoffs.
"Players must understand they shall be held accountable for their actions," OHL commissioner David Branch said in a statement. "We must all work towards improving the level of respect players have towards opposing players and the game in general."
Fanelli was handling the puck behind his own net in a game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The defender turned his head towards the boards as Liambis approached in stride.
While Liambis didn't lift his skates off the ground, the impact of the hit broke Fanelli's helmet. The teen's head appeared to strike the metal partition framing the glass at the Zamboni entrance.
He twitched on the ice before being attended to by team and arena staff.
Fanelli is recuperating at Hamilton General Hospital.
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