Aces: Galbraith Suspended 3 Games, Morehouse 1

The Alaska Aces will be without a couple of regular forwards in their three-game series that starts Thursday in Las Vegas -- the ECHL today suspended left winger Lance Galbraith for three games and rookie center Chris Morehouse for one, and fined them the usual "undisclosed amount.''

Both were suspended for their "actions'' in Monday's 2-1 win over visiting Victoria -- there was a near bench-clearing brawl at the end of the second period.

Morehouse and Victoria center Olivier Filion exchanged words, and Filion and Aces captain Scott Burt fought. Aces winger Lance Galbriath and Victoria's Chad Painchaud fought. Galbraith and Painchaud were issued game misconducts and Burt a misconduct, and Burt, Filion, Galbraith and Painchaud were all issued fighting majors -- Galbraith and Painchaud's fight started after the Filion-Burt bout. Morehouse was not penalized -- at least until now.

All of which means on-ice officials -- referee Jarrod Ragusin, linesmen Steve Glines and Chad Colliander -- either missed a call on Morehouse or there was some reconsideration after the fact.

Got me. Still, awaiting word from the ECHL on whether any Victoria players have been suspended. (UPDATE: Painchaud drew a two-game suspension and a fine).

Just got off the phone with Aces spokesman Jack Michaels, who said the league told the club Morehouse was suspended for initiating the dustup and Galbraith for instigating the fight with Painchaud.

Galbraith did not make the trip to Vegas -- the Aces and traveling today, and Michaels and company were in the Seattle airport when we talked. Michaels said winger Brett Hemingway and defensemen Lee Green and B.J. Crum -- none of those three played against Victoria -- all made the trip. Figure on Hemingway in the lineup Thursday with one of those two defensemen listed as a wing, so the Aces have the full complement of 10 forwards and six D.

In any event, Galbraith will miss all three Las Vegas games and Morehouse will miss Thursday's opener.