The Ontario Elite Hockey League North Conference Final has come to a controversial and abrupt end, with the Ripley Wolves advancing to the championship series following a league ruling that overturned the result of Game 6.
The Wolves had appeared headed for a decisive Game 7 against the Minto 81s, but that game was cancelled after league officials determined Minto used an ineligible goaltender. The result of Game 6 has now been recorded as a forfeit, giving Ripley the series win.
Speaking with CKNXNewsToday.ca, OEHL Chair Gord Lamont said the decision ultimately came down to a clear violation of roster rules.
"They used a goalie...who was not signed to their roster," Lamont explained. "Everybody that they use in the game has to be rostered either as an affiliate player or as their own player...and the player that was played was not signed as either."
The issue was first raised by Ripley, which filed a formal protest following Game 6. The matter was then reviewed by league general managers, who voted overwhelmingly to uphold the protest and enforce the forfeit under league rules.
Lamont acknowledged the process itself has raised questions, particularly since the ruling came from a vote of team representatives rather than a standalone league decision.
"It is our process," he said. "The commissioner will make a decision, but in this case, the commissioner was involved in the original decision, so it went right to the league meeting...I’m not totally convinced that’s the right way to handle it, and we’ve since been talking about other ways of doing it."
Complicating the situation further, Minto maintains it had received approval from the league commissioner to use the goaltender. Lamont confirmed that factor played a major role in deliberations, but said the final decision came down to what was written in the rulebook.
"It was a huge factor," he said. "There was a time crunch...and [the commissioner] was going by memory and not by any kind of proof. What was decided was to go by our manual, which it was obvious...they weren’t allowed to do that."
The ruling ends a tightly contested series in unusual fashion, something Lamont said nobody involved truly wanted.
"I think any hockey person would far sooner have everything settled on the ice," he said. "I don’t know if any of them were comfortable...it was a huge decision for both teams."
In a statement, the Wolves said they would have preferred the series be decided on the ice, but felt it was important that league rules be applied fairly and consistently. Ripley now moves on to face the Seaforth Centenaires in the Paxton Trophy Final.
Meanwhile, the 81s say they are "extremely disappointed" with the outcome and plan to appeal to the Ontario Hockey Association. However, Lamont indicated that may not be straightforward.
"Our manual says that this decision was not appealable," he said. “I don’t know if they can appeal...I don’t think they can from what our manual says."
Beyond the immediate fallout, Lamont hopes the situation reinforces the importance of rule compliance across the league, especially as the OEHL continues to establish itself at a higher level of senior hockey.
"We are a very legitimate league...and we have rules," he said. "The message...is we do have a manual and the manual has to be followed."
He added that the controversy could lead to changes down the road, particularly in how disputes are handled.
"If this is one of them, then let’s get it fixed," Lamont said.
