Fan accused of shining laser pointer at HS hockey game

WINTHROP, Mass. (WHDH) --Major disappointment for the Medway Ashland girls hockey team after officials deny its appeal of Wednesday nights 3-1 loss to Winthrop.

" I understand why they said it and I respect their decision, I mean do I think it’s fair? No, of course not,” said Katherine Hamer the Medway goalie distracted by an opposing players father.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association decided that a laser pointed on the ice and at the goalie did not interfere with the game. Paul Wetzel says the MIAA has to stick to its own rules.

“We can’t overturn an official’s rule after the game is over,” said Wetzel.

Winthrop school administrators said the parent had to be removed from Lawrence N. Larsen Skating Facility after he allegedly flashed a green laser pointer at players on the opposing team and he has been banned from future events.

“At that time, our assistant superintendent saw that individual as well, removed that individual from the game. At that point, the game was stopped,” said John Macero, Winthrop Schools Superintendent.  

The incident happened Wednesday night when Winthrop was playing Medway-Ashland in a tournament game. The game was tied 1-1. During the third period, parents saw the man with the laser pointer.Medway-Ashland ended up losing the game, 3-1.

Hamer, a freshman at Medway HS said these were not normal circumstances.

“I do feel that it was an unfair advantage I guess that they had because we really did lose our focus and intensity after that, they didn’t really take an action. He got escorted out but people get escorted out for yelling too but this person tried to hurt us,” said Hamer.

Parents are now wondering if the laser affected the outcome of the game, if it affected any of the girls’ vision and what kind of message the MIAA is sending with its decision.

“What this means to anybody that sees this and anybody that has a game in the future is that whatever you need to do, however you can influence the game, whatever you can get away with is going to pass,” said Phillip Hamer, Katherine’s father.

“I think that it’s important for Medway to understand that we are just as upset at this situation too, because it kind of puts a black eye on Winthrop. What is aggravating is that, why would you do that to both teams, both teams have earned the right -- the Medway girls and the Winthrop girls -- to have this opportunity to perform in a game, and for someone to come in and do that inappropriate action was uncalled for,” said Macero.

Medway released a statement saying it is unfair, unfortunate and it was a malicious act by that parent. They had  requested that the MIAA look over this game and consider if the game should be replayed, but the MIAA said the game will not be replayed.

Winthrop will move on to the next tournament round while the Medway-Ashland girl’s hockey team goes home.

“It would have been nice just to play a regular game, just play hockey but I guess that wasn’t the case this time,” said Hamer.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)