Community College Hockey Player Leaves Penalty Box, Hits Referee During Game

The Erie Community College Kats took on the Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks in Sunday's NJCAA national title game, but the hockey took a backseat to violence against the referee.

Sports Illustrated shared a video of an Erie Community College player coming out of the penalty box and knocking the official to the ice:

According to Ludwig Media, it was freshman Brandon Day who exited the box and attacked the referee.

It ended Dakota College at Bottineau's 7-4 victory and gave the Lumberjacks their 10th national title.

The athletics department reacted:

While the Sports Illustrated highlight noted player's actions ended the game, the Lumberjacks were well on their way to victory. The game was tied at four after the second period, but goals from Drew Carriere and Charles Joly made it 6-4 before Harrison Aide buried the empty-netter to make it 7-4.

That's when the player identified as Day exited the box and took out his frustration on the official.