Tomanek Suspended Indefinately

[Redwic]

The WinterHawks might FINALLY be able to get out of the First Round, for like the first time in five seasons.

If the Thunderbirds organization is going to be so harsh as to jeopardize their season... and possibly Tomanek's individual hockey career... by suspending their leading scorer indefinitely and sending him back home to Europe, YOU KNOW IT MUST BE BAD.

Perhaps it has been difficult for him to adjust to our culture and rules?

They really should have found a way to keep Tolpeko...

[nelson951]

They beat Everett without him Saturday, Greg Scott replacing him with 2 goals( shoulda had a hattrick!~)
They can win without Tomaneck.

[nelson951]

Notebook: T-birds move forward after loss of Tomanek
By Jim Riley

Special to The Seattle Times

When leading scorer Roman Tomanek was suspended by the Seattle Thunderbirds for the rest of the season and sent home to Slovakia on Monday, it was a jolt that could have split the team apart.
Although the T-birds have declined to divulge the nature of Tomanek's transgression, Sumner said his punishment has not been a source of debate among the team.

"We've had lengthy discussions with individuals, with small groups and with the whole group," Sumner said. "Everybody understands the direction we're going and agrees with it. It's over and we've all moved on."

The T-birds are 2-1-0-0 since Tomanek was suspended and have won their last two in a row to solidify their second-place standing in the Western Hockey League's U.S. Division.

Seattle (32-28-1-4) has clinched a playoff spot and has seven games left in the regular season. The Thunderbirds are six points ahead of Portland and eight ahead of Tri-City and have one game in hand against both teams.

"With the playoffs coming, we're determined to get the home-ice, second-place spot," Sumner said. "We've lost a little bit of skill in our lineup, but at this time of year it's team play that's going to make you successful."

The T-birds play in Kelowna today, then are home at KeyArena against Portland on Saturday and Spokane on Sunday.

Sumner likes the way his team is rounding into playoff form.

"I've been happy with a lot of things lately," Sumner said. "You're never completely satisfied, but we've been playing pretty well."




Sounds like it was a longer term problem