Kuehl, Duff: Griffins’ Lagesson suspended for three games

According to MLive’s Tyler Kuehl and Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff, Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman William Lagesson has been suspended for a “UFC move” made during last weekend’s win over the Iowa Wild.

Here’s Kuehl’s report…

On Tuesday, the American Hockey League announced they have suspended Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman William Lagesson for three games after a roughing incident against Iowa Wild forward Adam Raska.

The incident happened during Sunday’s matchup between the Central Division rivals. Late in the second period, after Griffins goaltender Ville Husso covered a loose puck, Lagesson and Raska started a scuffle, which led to Lagesson taking down the smaller Raska. The two continued to wrestle on the ice, with Lagesson getting the upper hand, eventually putting Raska in a rear-naked choke. It led to Raska visibly tapping out.

Lagesson received a minor penalty for roughing on the play. The Griffins went on to win the game 5-2, earning a weekend split with the Wild.

And Duff’s report:

In UFC circles, they call this a rear naked choke. However, it hockey circles, it was only worth a minor penalty of two minutes for roughing to Lagesson.

Clearly, the American Hockey League’s Player Safety Committee was viewing this as a much more serious offense, one requiring the enacting of supplemental discipline.

“Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman William Lagesson has been suspended for three games as a consequence of a roughing incident in a game vs. Iowa on Nov. 24,” the league announced in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.

The Griffins are playing three games in three nights beginning on Friday. They’ll be doing so without one of their top defenders.

Lagesson will miss Grand Rapids’ games Friday facing the Milwaukee Admirals, Saturday at the Chicago Wolves and Sunday against the Cleveland Monsters.

And here’s the…erm…chokehold…

Lagesson with a headlock and gets the tap out! He is the champion!

This game is getting wild!#GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/wp0yntDHAE

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) November 24, 2024