The Story Behind An Ugly Youth Hockey Incident In Boston

Last weekend there was an ugly youth hockey incident in a U-11 game in Boston. With just one 15-year-old referee on site, it was a disturbing sightFormer NHLer Brian Boyle had a "bad feeling" before his son's Under-11 game between the Bay State Breakers and South Shore Kings last Saturday. The only referee in the game, a 15-year-old kid with limited experience, came to the bench saying that he was hoping the other referee assigned to the game was going to show up.He did not and what ensued was an ugly, ugly incident that dominated social media over the weekend. In the game, a Breakers player is seen hitting a Kings player on the side of the head with his stick.Thankfully, the boy who was struck is OK and has no lingering effects.Boyle acknowledged the incident, "is unacceptable" and the player in question will almost certainly be suspended for a long time and will receive the guidance he needs to help him control his temper and play the game the right way.Here's more, with additional footage, in today's video column above.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.