NLL Insider

Buffalo Bandits’ defender Billy Dee Smith has been hit with a five game suspension from the NLL today.

The suspension comes from Smith’s contact with an official during the Bandits’ 11-8 loss at the Air Canada Centre against the Toronto Rock.

Smith was part of an altercation with Toronto forward Blaine Manning. The two exchanged words after Smith hit Manning from behind, later punching Manning during their on-floor altercation as well.

When one of the game officials came over to Smith to breakup the altercation, Smith shoved the referee out of his way and was assessed a physical abuse of an official game misconduct.

The league handed down its suspension immediately following the game, which Smith and the Bandits would later appeal, allowing Smith to play in Buffalo’s Saturday afternoon game in Minnesota.

The PLPA has now submitted for an additional appeal on Smith’s behalf, which will allow Billy Dee to play this weekend when the Bandits travel to Chicago to face the Shamrox.

The game officials from last Friday night’s game in Toronto have determined that Smith’s push of the referee is in violation of Rule 88.3 Category II, which carries an automatic five game suspension. It is unclear if that was the original ruling immediately following the game, but it is definitely the violation Smith is currently facing.

The rule in question states;

Rule 88:  PHYSICAL ABUSE OF OFFICIALS - The referee at his discretion, may assess appropriate penalties if, in his judgment, a player deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an Official, in any manner attempts to injure an Official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an Official solely for purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation, shall receive a game misconduct penalty.

The subsection goes on to state;

88.3 Category II – The referee, at his discretion, shall assess a Category II Physical Abuse of Officials penalty to any player, if in the referees’ judgment, the player deliberately applies physical force to an Official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category One), which physical force is applied without the intent to injure, shall be automatically suspended for not less then five (5) games.

Smith’s hearing will likely be held sometime next week with a decision made before Buffalo plays Philadelphia on March 1.

If the suspension does remain at five games and begins on the first of next month, Smith will be available to be put back into the lineup on April 19 against the same Chicago Shamrox team he’ll see this upcoming weekend. That game would be the Bandits’ second last regular season match and likely hold severe playoff implications. The other games missed by Smith would be against Minnesota, Toronto, Colorado and Rochester, all tough match-ups.

Minnesota’s Hill also suspended

NLL Insider has also learned that Minnesota Swarm defender Travis Hill will be serving a one game suspension during the Swarm’s Friday night tilt against the Philadelphia Wings.

Hill’s latest suspension comes from a high cross-check on Dan Dawson during a February 10 game against the Portland Lumberjax. Hill has already served a one game suspension earlier this season after a high hit on the Rock’s Jim Veltman.

Hill appealed this suspension last week, which allowed him to participate in the Swarm’s game against Buffalo.

Travis will now be required to serve the one-game layoff this weekend after taking his appeal off the table.

Coincidently Hill currently leads the NLL in penalty minutes with 69. 

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