The Disciplinary Committee investigated the MOL League game MOL 224 (MAC Budapest - Fehervar AV19) where Jeffrey HAYES player of MAC Budapest was being penalized 2+10 minutes (CHE-H, MISC). The Committee made the following conclusions:
After 51 minutes the player of MAC Budapest collided with an opponent player. The Fehervar AV19 player could not continue the game.
The Disciplinary Committee considers that, the referees called correctly, when they reported irregularities. The Commitee offers to use the following rules in such, or similar cases, where the collided player's head is not exposed to direct physical contact, but hitting the head is the consequence of the collision:
IIHF RULE 122 – CHARGING
DEFINITION: A player who, after skating towards an opponent, checks him with unnecessary force or who runs at or jumps into an opponent. A player who checks an opponent with unnecessary force or who runs at or jumps into an opponent will be assessed at least a minor penalty. A player who injures or recklessly endangers an opponent as a result of charging will be assessed a major penalty and automatic gamemisconduct penalty or match penalty.
According to the establishment of the Disciplinary Committee, the player who suffered the collision stayed outside the whole game, the puck was not even near him, and he could not defend himself. The collision happened from an angle which was not visible, came from the blind side. The opposing player did not take into consideration that the demonstration could cause injury.
The Disciplinary Committee draws attention to the basis of the IIHF rules and guidelines what says that attacking the player who doesn't posess the puck is dangerous, could cause damage and always irregular.
The Disciplinary Commitee has suspended Jeffrey HAYES, the MAC Budapest player for 1 MOL League match. The player will spend down his sentence at the next MOL League match.
25.02.2016, Budapest
Antal Palla
MOL League Disciplinary Commission
President