Release from 27.11.2023

6-game suspension for Cedric Lacroix

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Cedric Lacroix of the BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg was suspended for six games due to an incident in Sunday’s road game at Bolzano deemed as Head-butting (IIHF Rule 47) and additionally fined 1500.00 euros. 4 games suspension for the current incident and 2 additional games as a repeat offender.

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Cedric Lacroix (#14) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, time 46:21 was involved in an incident deemed as Head-butting (IIHF Rule 47). The video evidence was sent to the win2day ICE Hockey League PSC, which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 2 - 'Reckless'.

Sunday afternoon in Bozen, Feldkirch center #14 Cedric Lacroix was assessed a 5-minute major penalty plus game-misconduct, for head-butting Bozen center-man #9 Daniel Mantenuto.

As the video shows, Mantenuto is skating parallel with the boards, where Lacroix firstly initiates engagement with a body check on Mantenuto. With the change of puck possession, a stoppage in play occurs, in which Lacroix is receiving a 2 minute penalty for an incident earlier in the shift.. Mantenuto immediately gets up and skates in the direction of Lacroix, where Lacroix again engages Mantenuto, through direct contact with his head directly at the head of Mantenuto.

This is head-butting.

It is important to note this is not deemed an incidental type movement, where two players head's can make contact within an ice battle. Instead, it is deemed that Lacroix made a direct, purposeful and deliberate head movement directly at Mantenuto, striking Mantenuto in the head. Considering Mantenuto does not engage in an aggressive manner, Lacroix fully aware of Mantenuto approaching and Lacroix deliberately and dangerously using his head as the main and only force of contact, demonstrates this is not an incidental head movement, raising the head movement to a head-butt, warranting supplementary discipline.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Cedric Lacroix for 6 games and fined 1.500,00 euros. 4 games suspension for the current incident and 2 additional games as a repeat offender.

To summarize:

  1. This is head-butting
  2. Contact to opponent's head
  3. Repeat offender

Previous suspension:
01.10.2023 Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg
3 games - IIHF 47 Head-Butting

Next game Cedric Lacroix (#14) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg is allowed to play:
21.12.2023 EBEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg vs. Hydro Fehervar AV19

DOPS made following video available: