Graz duo Currie and Vela handed suspensions | Salzburg defender Lewington suspended indefinitely

3-game Suspension Josh Currie (G99)
Josh Currie (#64) of Moser Medical Graz99ers, time 09:14 was involved in an incident deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head or Neck (IIHF Rule 48). 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'.

Friday night, January 23, in Graz, Graz forward #64 Josh Currie was involved in an incident deemed as a check to the head on Salzburg D'Man #22 Dennis Robertson resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus game-misconduct being assessed.

As the video shows, with a loose puck along the wall, a battle develops between Robertson and Vela. Reading the play, Currie skates in from the face-off circle area toward Robertson. Just prior to the goal line, Currie begins to load up to deliver a hit. This hit is elevated to supplementary discipline because Currie makes no attempt to play the puck and delivers a forceful check to an unsuspecting opponent. Currie’s right shoulder elevates upward and makes direct contact with the head of Robertson, resulting in an apparent injury. This is an Illegal Check to the Head.

It is important to note that Robertson is low on the play due to the natural position he assumes while gaining possession of the puck and chipping it forward. While there is slight extension through his arm to play the puck, there is no meaningful change in the height of his head that would contribute to the head contact. This is not a situation where a sudden movement by the puck carrier turns an otherwise legal hit into an illegal one. Currie chooses to deliver the check with an upward motion, directing his shoulder into the head of Robertson, rather than remaining low and making legal shoulder-to-shoulder or Body contact. This unnecessary upward movement results in significant and avoidable head contact.

As a result, the ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Josh Currie, number 64, for three games and fined him €750.

To summarize:

• This is a check to the head
• Shoulder elevation up and in
• Not a repeat offender

Previous suspension:
None

Next game Josh Currie (#64) of Moser Medical Graz99ers is allowed to play:
15.02.2026 FTC-Telekom vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers

2-game Suspension Marcus Vela (G99)
Marcus Vela (#12) of Moser Medical Graz99ers, time 53:51 was involved in an incident deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head or Neck (IIHF Rule 48). The video evidence was sent to the win2day ICE Hockey League PSC, which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 1 - 'careless'.

Friday night, January 23, in Graz, Graz center-man #12 Marcus Vela was involved in an incident deemed as a check to the head on Salzburg center-man #89 Florian Baltram resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus game-misconduct being assessed.

As the video shows, Baltram gains possession of the puck at the attacking blue line while skating at a high rate of speed. As a left-handed shot receiving the puck on his left side, Baltram’s focus, sight line, and awareness are naturally directed to that side of the ice. Vela enters the ice from the players’ bench and skates at a high rate of speed in an attempt to make a defensive play and disrupt a potential two-on-one situation. While the initial angle and intent to defend the play are acceptable, Vela then cuts in front of Baltram and delivers a forceful check that makes contact with the head. This is an illegal check to the head.

The head is determined to be a point of contact on this play. Vela’s left shoulder makes direct and forceful contact through Baltram’s head. Although subsequent contact is made with the body, the head absorbs the primary brunt of the hit. This contact is considered avoidable. Vela has sufficient space to deliver a legal check through the shoulder or core. However, his decision to reverse up ice rather than angle off or through shoulder to shoulder contact, forces him to cut across Baltram’s body, making the head a point of contact.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Marcus Vela (#12) for 2 games and fined 400.00 euros.

To summarize:

• This is a check to the head
• Head contact
• Not a repeat offender

Previous suspension:
None

Next game Marcus Vela (#12) of Moser Medical Graz99ers is allowed to play:
31.01.2026 Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie

Salzburg defenseman Tyler Lewington suspended indefinitely
Tyler Lewington of EC Red Bull Salzburg, who was already set to miss tomorrow’s game in Klagenfurt due to his second fight of the season, has been suspended indefinitely following an incident, which is still under review.

Fine for Brian Lebler
Brian Lebler of Steinbach Black Wings Linz has received an automatic fine of 200.00 euros following his game misconduct penalty in the game against EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV.