The Alberni Valley Bulldogs staved off elimination in the BC Hockey League playoffs with a 2-1 win over Langley Rivermen on Friday, April 22 in Port Alberni.

The celebration was short-lived, however, after the Bulldogs害羞草研究所� colour commentator made a racial slur about a player on-air and was kicked out after the second period.

The Bulldogs were leading 1-0 at the 13-minute mark of the second period when Bruce MacDonald made a racist comment about Langley Rivermen forward Owen Kim. The comment was heard by 93.3 the PEAK radio listeners as well as BCHL TV viewers, who quickly took to Twitter to voice their displeasure.

A league official notified Bulldogs害羞草研究所� president David Michaud about the comments just before the end of the second period. 害羞草研究所淛ointly we decided on the spot Bruce would be removed from the broadcast,害羞草研究所� Michaud said after the game. MacDonald has been banned from any future broadcast involving the Bulldogs or any other BCHL team.

Racism has no place in hockey. We stand behind those values and are thankful for the 害羞草研究所檚 support in the matter.

害羞草研究所� AVBulldogs (@AVBulldogs)

害羞草研究所�(Bruce) gets very passionate about the games, but what he said tonight was completely unacceptable,害羞草研究所� Michaud added. 害羞草研究所淲e have a 70-foot banner hanging in our arena that says there害羞草研究所檚 no place for racism in hockey. We acted quickly to make sure we stand behind those values.害羞草研究所�

The Bulldogs and BC Hockey League issued a joint statement after the game, apologizing to Kim and his family 害羞草研究所渁s well as anyone else who may have heard the comment. We have a zero tolerance for this type of behaviour,害羞草研究所� the statement read.

The PEAK 93.3 FM, which broadcasts the Bulldogs害羞草研究所� games, also offered an apology to Kim, his family, the Bulldogs and the BCHL for MacDonald害羞草研究所檚 comments. 害羞草研究所淩acism has no place in hockey. Racism has no place on our radio stations nor in our company,害羞草研究所� said Rob Bye, general manager, Vancouver Island for Pattison Media Ltd. 害羞草研究所淲e stand with the BCHL and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs,害羞草研究所� Bye said.

To

害羞草研究所� Bruce MacDonald (@brucemacpro)

MacDonald issued an apology via Twitter on Saturday morning. He said he emailed an apology to the Langley Rivermen Friday night and attempted to reach Kim to apologize. 害羞草研究所淎s I said in that letter, no one should be made to feel that way and I take full responsibility for my racist words. I害羞草研究所檓 deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused Owen Kim, his family and anyone else who was affected by what I said,害羞草研究所� MacDonald wrote.

Langley害羞草研究所檚 Daniel O害羞草研究所橬eill tied the game 1-1 at 18:38 of the second period. Bulldogs害羞草研究所� Josh Van Unen scored the game winner for the host Bulldogs at 7:38 of the third period. The Bulldogs out-shot Langley 35-22.

The teams return to Langley on Saturday, April 23 with the Rivermen holding a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Coastal Conference semifinal series.

susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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