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Lynn Youth Hockey Coach Accused Of Abuse Defends Himself

LYNN (CBS) - A Lynn hockey coach is clearing the air over accusations that he was abusive toward kids on his team. "That's the last thing I think I've ever heard myself called, an abuser or child abuser," said coach Bill Norcross in an exclusive interview with WBZ .

Last week, the Foglietta family told WBZ he shouted at their twin boys and threw things at them. "I was kind of frightened. He scared me," said player Austin Foglietta. It all started when Austin said he scored his 200th goal, and kept the puck as a souvenir.

"It's an embarrassing situation. I was more concerned for the other team. There's an unwritten rule that when you're winning a game…you don't celebrate a goal and sort of pile on," said the coach. He said he talked with the kids afterward about the importance of playing together as a team.

WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports

The Fogliettas tell a different story. "When I was sitting down, he threw a puck bag at me and I had to duck," said Austin's brother William.

At a hearing Monday night, the coach told league officials he never threw a bag of pucks, or anything else at the kids. Outside the office where the hearing was held, a group of parents and children held signs showing support for him.

"Coaches aren't supposed to cry," he said. "It's emotional because it's a unique league in Lynn and youth hockey is tight knit."

The Foglietta boys were kicked off the team after their parents complained to league officials and made public accusations against Norcross. The league is expected to decide within the next couple of weeks, whether the boys should be allowed back on the team.

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