Leave it on the ice.

It’s a good idea for young hockey players and a must-follow directive for hockey parents.

Demetri Antoniou, a doctor who lives in Cumberland, was found guilty Tuesday of intentionally inflicting emotional distress on a 13-year-old boy. He was ordered to pay $320 to cover the costs of counseling for the boy.

Antoniou stormed into the boy’s locker room after a December 2001 game. The boy had delivered a hard check to Antoniou’s son. Antoniou, upset at what he considered a cheap shot near the end of the game, confronted the boy, swearing and, perhaps, making threats.

Anyone who’s ever seen his or her child get hit – or hurt – should understand the desire to intervene. But adults should know better than allowing their emotions, especially anger, to take over when they’re dealing with children. Antoniou was wrong and set a bad example for his son and other players in the league.

Coaches and referees, while far from perfect, are charged with maintaining order on the field of play during an athletic event. Sometimes they might miss a call or make a mistake. But that’s no excuse for what Antoniou did. He went too far.