The ECHL acted swiftly Sunday, suspending Jacksonville Icemen defenceman Jacob Panetta indefinitely, pending a hearing, for an apparent racial gesture toward fellow Canadian Jordan Subban of the South Carolina Stingrays during Saturday night’s game.
Video of the incident 23 seconds into overtime in the Florida city shows Panetta, from Belleville, Ont., appearing to raise his arms toward his side while looking at Subban, also a defenceman and a native of Rexdale, Ont.
According to the Florida-Times Union, the game report indicates the officiating crew assessed Panetta’s two game misconduct penalties for continuing an altercation and for “inciting,” under ECHL Rule 75.5,