Suspension: Portage Hockey-Keenleyside |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2019-20 SeasonMarch 6, 2020PC Men’s Hockey player Cole Keenleyside (#21) received a major and game misconduct for head contact during a February 28, 2020 game for striking Matt Martin of UAA. Although he returned to the game in question, I have been advised that Mr. Martin did not play the following night due to concussion symptoms but has since returned to the ice. 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 have taken the opportunity to have Craig DeCoursey, Hockey Alberta’s Referee in Chief, review the video footage. It is Mr. DeCoursey’s opinion that the call on the ice was correct. Mr. DeCoursey felt that the blindside nature of the hit and the force involved was enough to warrant a major but he did not feel that the offence warranted either a match penalty or a longer suspension. Accordingly, I am not in a position to interfere with the judgment exercised by the on ice official. Therefore, Mr. Keenleyside is suspended for one (1) game, to be served as follows: February 29, 2020 vs. UAA (served) Regards, |
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