COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A Canadian-born hockey fan apologized Saturday for allegedly making threats by phone to Nationwide arena during a close game between the Blue Jackets and the fan's favorite team, the Flame.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Peter Stenzel, 51, appeared in court Saturday morning. He pleaded not guilty to charges of inducing panic and was bonded.
Apparently, he called the Nationwide Arena three times Thursday evening between 7:45 and 8:15 p.m.
He threatened physical harm against a Blue Jackets goalie, according to CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner.
Stenzel was charged with inducing panic Friday, which is a misdemeanor 3.
NBC 4's Mike Bowersock caught up with Stenzel as he was walking out of the Franklin County jail Saturday night, and the man expressed his regret to everyone involved.
"I apologize to Steve Mason, his family, the fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena and everybody who was affected by this," Stenzel said.
Mason is the Blue Jacket's goalie.
"It was just a very stupid thing to do, just a very stupid thing to do," Stenzel said.
Stenzel was arrested at his Dublin home, dressed in a Flames T-shirt, still watching the game after police traced his alleged calls to the Arena back to his home.
Stenzel was arraigned Saturday morning at 9 a.m.
The judge ordered a psychological evaluation of Stenzel, and Stenzel pleaded not guilty to the charge of inducing panic.
His bond was set at $50,000.
Whatever happens in court, Stenzel fears he's lost his job as a computer programmer and said he just got caught up in the game and his love for his team.
"It was just in the heat of battle, and it's going to cost me in the long run in a lot of different ways," Stenzel said.
The Blue Jackets had a 5-0 win over Calgary Thursday night.
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