Suspension: Concordia Hockey-J Lavoie |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2018-19 SeasonJanuary 17, 2019CUE Men’s Hockey player Jacob Lavoie (#14) received a major and game misconduct for head contact during a January 12, 2019 game against UAA game. According to the referee, this was a hard hit as Mr. Lavoie finished his check. The UAA player, Lukas Biensch, was forced to leave the game. I have been advised that the Mr. Biensch received 3 stitches to the head and was diagnosed with a concussion. He will not play this coming weekend but hopes to resume skating next week. Article I Section 12 Rule 8.5 of the ACAC Operating Code applies to this incident: 8.5. Major Penalty for Head Contact (Amended June, 2012/April, 2016) 8.5.1. 1st Offence ‐ One Game suspension 8.5.4. Any major penalty called in a game that has contact to the head must be reviewed by video. i.e the major penalty can be changed to a match penalty. Pursuant to Rule 8.5.4 I have reviewed video footage of the incident, which is attached to this ruling. Hockey Canada Rule 6.5, which deals with head contact, allows a referee the discretion to impose a match penalty where a player “deliberately attempts to injure an opponent.” I am unable to make such a determination based on my review of the video. Accordingly, I am not in a position to interfere with the judgment exercised by the on ice official. Notwithstanding that the call will remain as a major/game misconduct, the ACAC’s mandate to eliminate head contact is relevant to this ruling, as are the injuries sustained by Mr. Biensch and the clear evidence from the video of Mr. Lavoie increasing his speed as he approached Mr. Biensch to finish his check. Based on the above, it is my view that an additional one (1) game suspension is warranted to help achieve the goals of the Conference in eliminating head contact from our game. Mr. Lavoie is hereby suspended for two (2) games, to be served as follows:
Regards, Bill Hendsbee |
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