Fight breaks out at high school hockey game in NH

CONWAY, N.H. (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association is investigating a melee during a high school playoff hockey game in Conway.

“Basically, all heck broke loose,” said Rick Wise, who does play-by-play for Kennett High School.

The high school hockey playoff game in Conway turned into an all-out brawl as tempers flared with just seconds remaining in the contest.

A quarterfinal showdown between Kennett and Portsmouth got ugly when punches were thrown on the ice between opposing players.

“And the next thing you know it was just explosive,” said Wise.

The fight carried over to the Portsmouth bench as officials were knocked to the ice trying to break it up.

The brawl finally came to an end and the game was called with 38 seconds left and Kennett on the winning end of a 6-0 score.

Wise said the Portsmouth’s frustration with the lopsided game led to the brawl.

“There was a charge and a Kennett player went down in front of the Portsmouth bench,” he said.

Wise said it could have been prevented if one or two players, who were getting out of control, were removed from the game earlier.

Neither team has been punished so far. The NHIAA is investigating the incident. Kennett fans say they were shocked to see what took place on the ice.

“It was a shame it had to end that way, 38 seconds left, 6-0 game, no sense to start a brawl like that,” said hockey fan Ed Wagner.