A hockey mom is expected to face charges after police say she assaulted two referees during her son’s high school game.
Surveillance cameras captured the moment the mother, who has not been named, took the ice as the Jan. 4 game ended in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Two referees are then seen skating towards her after the varsity game between Mansfield High School and Taunton High School, as reported by NBC10 Boston.
Police say the mother began physically assaulting them shortly afterward.
Taunton’s mother reportedly waited more than five minutes for officials to walk to the locker room during the attack.
“Thankfully, no one was injured in this situation,” said Mike Ober, spokesman for the National Ice Hockey Officials’ Association.
‘It could have ended very differently.’
Foxborough police said the mother will be cited for several criminal charges.
Cameras captured the moment the mother stepped into the ice before the alleged attack
You then see two referees skating towards her. Police say the mother began physically assaulting them shortly afterward
One of the referees, who did not want to be identified, said he and his colleague are doing well, but parents must do their best.
“The incidents of this are becoming more common,” Ober added.
“Not long ago I saw a video of a coach absolutely berating a 16-year-old referee, a brand new referee, and we’re not going to get these kids back when these incidents happen.”
Hockey parents told the local newspaper that angry parents have become an increasing problem in youth sports.
“I even saw a grandmother last night who was out of control, and I thought maybe she should be kicked out,” local Lynn Wrzosek told NBC 10.
“You have to realize that in the long run, most of us are not going to have kids playing in the NHL,” Mike McKay added.
“For most kids, the ceiling will probably be a high school hockey player, so my advice is to just enjoy the ride… It’s not life or death.”