HC Lugano has taken this step due to recent media reports which revealed that Stancescu and ZSC Lions' forward Roman Wick have business ties. Both are members of the Board of Directors of a company in Zürich. "This circumstance casts doubt on the impartiality of the single judges," the club announces in their press release. As HCL's media spokesman lets the Schweizerische Depeschenagentur know later this morning, also Krüger is "no longer acceptable due to his proximity to Stancescu".
The club refers to an incident which happened in the third game of the playoff quarterfinal when Patrick Thoresen was subjected to a hit to the head by Maxim Lapierre. Lapierre was then issued a one-game suspension for his offense. However, the case is still pending, as the ZSC Lions have appealed against this decision.
Furthermore, HC Lugano stresses that this will not influence the one-game suspension of Severin Blindenbacher. The club can not appeal against this decision, as they are not directly involved in this case.
Last Update: 16 March 2017, 09:33 AM | mfa
