Most Privateer players stage boycott, lose 25-6 to Warriors

CORNWALL, Ontario — The Thousand Islands players took a stand against what they felt was cheap play from the Akwesasne Warriors before Friday’s Federal Hockey League game between the two.

Only four regular players — Chase Tippin, Paul Kelly, Brad Smulders and Adam McAllister — made the road trip. The rest of the game’s lineup was acquired once Thousand Islands arrived at Anowarakowa Arena, according to Privateers owner Nicole Kirnan. The Privateers lost, 25-6, not surprisingly.

Most of the replacement players had skated for Akwesasne earlier this season.

“We had some guys who were refusing to play because Akwesasne was rough to play against,” Kirnan said. “We went there with a few guys who were willing to go and the rest were added.”

Kirnan had planned a team meeting to address the issue late Friday night once the team bus returned to the Bonnie Castle Arena for Cornwall.

“We need to take action, but we want to do what is in the best interest of the organization and the fans,” she said.

The game between Akwesasne and Thousand Islands scheduled for tonight at the Bonnie Castle Arena will be played, Kirnan assured.

She has signed several players to fill out the roster until a decision is made about the future of the players who refused to play Friday night.

“I am excited about the players we have signed,” Kirnan said.