Michael Peca probably thinks he is hard done by after only being suspended for 5 games without pay (2 of which he has already served) after grabbing referee Greg Kimmerly by the arm (according to Peca, he was only trying to get the referee's attention, which he obviously did) while "voicing his displeasure" regarding the preceding play. Peca was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty for his verbal abuse of the official, and a game misconduct penalty for the physical abuse of the official under Rule 41.1.
Rule 41 of the NHL Rulebook states there will be an automatic suspension of three, 10 or 20 games, based on three categories of offenses. Peca's offense initially was assessed as a Category II, which requires an automatic 10-game suspension.
Peca appealed and a hearing was held Thursday in front of Commissioner Gary Bettman, whoheard testimony and reviewed the evidence, including a video of the incident (which was not previously available or reviewed by the four officials who worked the game), the parties present at the hearing (including the four on-ice officials involved in the game) determined that the application of Category III, which requires a minimum three-game ban, was more appropriately applied because Peca's actions were more properly categorized as "physically demeaning" conduct.
However, due to the "serious nature of the conduct involved" and pursuant to his authority under Rule 41, Commissioner Bettman increased the minimum three-game suspension to five games. Basically - You Do Not Touch Referees.
Commissioner Bettman said that, "Peca crossed the line by making physical contact with referee Kimmerly. His conduct -- regardless of the type or nature of precipitating events -- was inexcusable and showed a lack of respect for our on-ice officials, and for the game itself. The NHL remains committed to ensuring that officials are not subjected to any physical contact or abuse by NHL players."
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