The same traits that make Mike Sgroi so popular among Johnstown Chiefs fans often draw attention from the ECHL office too.
Sgroi is a high-energy player with a colorful background and an edge. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound mixed martial arts expert won’t back down from a fight. He’ll defend his teammates.
When Sgroi was “jumped from behind” by Reading’s Mike Salekin on Saturday night at the Sovereign Center, Sgroi responded as those who have followed the Chiefs would have expected him to respond.
The big guy whipped Salekin, who had badgered Sgroi and other Chiefs during the teams’ past three meetings.
As the fight was being broken up by linesmen at 12:03 of the final period, both Sgroi and Salekin continued throwing punches. Both players were cited for continuation of the fight.
Sgroi also received game misconducts for being the aggressor and physically abusing an official.
On Monday, the ECHL suspended Sgroi for 10 games and fined him an undisclosed amount under Rule 29 supplemental discipline.
“He got jumped from behind for the second time by a defenseman from Reading, Salekin, No. 17,” Chiefs coach Ian Herbers said. “Mike wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to happen again and send him a statement. I don’t know if I can say anything much more.
“Both guys got penalties for continuing to fight. I can’t say much.”
Sgroi has seven goals, 19 points and 145 penalty minutes in 23 games. Since his Jan. 12 addition to the lineup, the Chiefs are 13-7-1-2.
“We’ll miss his size and presence up front, but it’s a team game,” Herbers said. “The other guys will have to step up and fill the roles. We have a couple extra bodies right now. We’re confident with anybody that steps in.”
With 1,452 career penalty minutes in the ECHL, AHL and UHL since 2000-01, Sgroi’s reputation often puts him under scrutiny.
“I think history does play a part in every decision that they (ECHL) make,” Herbers said. “They look at past history. But that’s part of the reason we brought Mike in here. It was for his energy and his history. It’s a give-and-take thing.”
Sgroi sat out Sunday’s 6-2 win at Elmira. He has nine games remaining on the suspension.
The Chiefs have 15 more regular-season games.
Sgroi would be eligible to return on March 28 at Wheeling.
Pro
Sgroi suspended for 10
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