The Disciplinary Committee no.2015-16/059 decree
The Disciplinary Committee investigated the Hungarian Cup game MK16 (Debreceni HK – DVTK Jegesmedvek) where DUDAS Jesse Ray, player of DVTK Jegesmedvek collided with the opponent player. The referees gave 25 minutes Match Penalty for checking the head and neck area (CHE-H). The Committee made the following conclusions:
The player of DVTK hit his opponent's chest, neck during the collision. The victim of the collision injured, he could not continue the game.
IIHF RULE 124 – CHECKING TO THE HEAD OR NECK
DEFINITION: A player who directs a hit of any sort, with any part of his body or equipment, to the head or neck of an opposing player or drives or forces the head of an opposing player into the protective glass or boards. This rule supersedes all similar actions regarding hits to the head and neck except those related to fighting. There is no such thing as a clean hit to the head. Whether accidental or intentional, every direct hit to the head or neck of an opponent will be penalized. A player who injures or recklessly endangers an opponent as a result of checking to the head or neck will be assessed a match penalty.
According to findings of the Disciplinary Committee, the DVTK's player collided with his shoulder while his elbow was pressed down during the crash. The opponent player lost controll over the puck in the moments before the collision. He turned his head back, he searched the puck with his eyes. The crash came from the front side.
The opposing player must be aware that this demonstrations could cause injury. Colliding with the player who doesn't possess the puck is irregular in any cases. The Disciplinary Commitee approve the referee’s judgement, and do not use other sanctions.
According to the rules, the penalty is to miss out 1 match autamatically.
The player will spend down his sentence at the next Hungarian Cup match.
27.03.2016, Budapest
Antal Palla
MOL League Disciplinary Commission
President