FOXBORO, Mass. (WBZ) – A Massachusetts woman is accused of assaulting two high school hockey referees.
The reported confrontation happened after an intense game earlier this month.
A woman is seen on video cornering two referees as they get off the ice at the Foxboro Sports Center.
Officials said the mother of one of the players ended up assaulting the veteran refs and police had to be called.
“I have seen this kind of behavior, sadly, for many years now,” hockey nana Lynn Wrzosek said. “This type of behavior is unacceptable.”
Other hockey parents and officials agreed, but they said they weren’t surprised by the bad bench behavior.
“Win or lose, we’re trying to teach these kids how to be good people. This is disappointing,” hockey mom Brooke Daniels said.
At the same game, a Taunton man was thrown out of the game for verbal abuse.
According to the National Ice Hockey Officials Association, these types of assaults and harassment against sports officials are on the rise.
“The problem is getting worse,” Mike Ober, with the association, said. “We have to do better, as parents you’ve got to do better; please stop. Let the players play, coaches coach and refs ref.”
The association said it’s been calling on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to do more to protect referees.
For the sake of their kids, parents agree.
“We don’t have a game without them, and I wish that people could take a step back sometimes and realize the bigger dynamic here,” Daniels said.
Wrzosek added, “Bottom line, it’s a hockey game, it’s supposed to be fun.”
Police said the mother is facing several criminal charges. They did not immediately identify her.
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