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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:22 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2009

Michigan St. hockey players suspended after attack

Associated Press

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State suspended two hockey players after they attacked a Michigan skater during a game over the weekend.

Late in the Wolverines' 5-3 win Saturday night, Michigan defenseman Steve Kampfer was hit into the boards by Andre Conboy and Corey Tropp hit him in the neck area with his stick while Kampfer was prone on the ice.

The teams' conference, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, said it was satisfied with the school's action.

"We feel that the measures taken by Michigan State are appropriate and consistent with the parameters of the sanctions that were being contemplated by the league," league commissioner Tom Anastos said in a news release.

Game officials penalized Tropp a double disqualification and Conboy received a double minor for roughing.

"What happened near the end of the game this weekend is not the way in which we want our hockey program represented," Michigan State coach Rick Comley said in a statement. "We cannot condone their actions. We felt that we had to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated."

Kampfer was helped off the ice and later was on a hospital gurney with a neck brace. His skull was fractured earlier this season in an off-ice assault.

Kampfer told the Detroit Free Press that he had a strained neck and expected to return for the Wolverines' next game Jan. 30.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said he and Comley agree what the Spartans players did "were spontaneous, emotional actions carried out during a highly competitive game."

"But their actions were completely inappropriate and reflect poorly on our program," Hollis added.