Bregenzerwald's Daniel Ban suspended for 2 games

Daniel Ban (#11) of EC Bregenzerwald, time 37:11, made contact with an opponent deemed as Interference, IIHF Rule 149. The video evidence was sent to the AHL Player Safety Committee (PSC), which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 1 – ‘Careless’ – insufficient attention or thought to avoid harm or error. Liable to happen as a consequence of, by intending to affect an opponent through a reactionary or accidental motion or the incident is deemed careless causing negligence.

According to the Arbitrator and having considered the video evidence and ruling of the AHL PSC, player Daniel Ban (#11) of EC Bregenzerwald, will receive supplementary discipline under rule 149 – Interference. 

Saturday night in Bregenzerwald; EC Bregenzerwald forward (#11) Daniel Ban of EC Bregenzerwald, interfered with Vienna Capitals Silver forward #67 Markus Hermanstad, which was penalized by the game officials with a 2+2 Check to the Head. As the video show, immediately following a center ice face off, Vienna gained puck possession back to the Vienna D'Man. With both Hermanstad and Ban being center men, it is considered a hockey play to stick with your player. With the puck in the Vienna D'Zone and an outlet pass towards the attacking zone to occur, Hermanstad does exactly what he is suppose to do in having his stick on the ice and a regard for a potential pass. This naturally has his focus to the area of the puck, which is opposite from the area of Ban.

Ban after the face-off and aware of the puck location, immediately goes on the defensive side of his responsible player (Hermanstad) to defend. If Ban would have maintained his approach in staying with his man, there would be no consideration of anything illegal. What Ban instead chose to do, was prepare for a body check. It can be considered that Ban anticipated a pass to Hermanstad and prepared to make a body check. However, the puck did not go to Hermanstad and Ban still made a check. The body check is deemed illegal and worthy of supplementary discipline under interference. Ban was in full control of his body action and chose to make a check on Hermanstad, who was unaware (unsuspecting). Unless Hermanstad had gained puck possession, there is no reason he should be suspecting of the check that Ban made. Additionally, the check did have some elevation into the head area and is deemed excessive, considering Hermanstad was unaware. Body checking is a legal act, when the body check occurs on a player with puck possession. Ban must avoid checks on non puck carriers. There was no reported injury. However, an unsuspecting body check to a non puck carrier, especially when contact involves the head area of opposing player are deemed dangerous.

Effective immediately, Daniel Ban (#11) of EC Bregenzerwald is suspended for 2 games.

Key references:
- This is Interference
- Unsuspecting on non-puck carrier
- Considered category 1 - Careless
- Not a repeat offender

From the perspective of DOPS and according to the AHL Penalty Catalog Ref. Nr. 151 - Interference, Daniel Ban (#11) of EC Bregenzerwald, is suspended for 2 games, effective immediately.

Next game Daniel Ban (#11) of EC Bregenzerwald is allowed to play:
07.12.2019 EC Bregenzerwald vs. SHC Fassa Falcons