Release from 08.10.2022

One game suspension for Andrew Desjardins

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Andrew Desjardins of the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV was suspended for one game due to an incident deemed as Illegal Check to the Head or Neck in Friday´s game against Vienna. The Canadian will therefore miss the game tonight against Hydro Fehérvár AV 19.

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Andrew Desjardins (#84) of EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, time 48:15 was involved in an incident deemed as 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 in Vienna, Villach forward #84 Andrew Desjardins, was assessed a 5-minute Major + Game-Misconduct penalty for an illegal check to the head or neck on Vienna forward #96 Nikolaus Hartl, with no reported injury. As the video shows, Hartl receives the puck, with a quick turn around in response to an outlet pass, as Desjardins is reading and reacting to a defensive play, which includes a pinch down on Hartl. As Desjardins approaches, he delivers a hit making the head the primary point of contact on a hit where such head contact was deemed avoidable.

This is an illegal check to the head.

It is important to note, the head is the primary point of contact, as the elbow of Desjardins makes contact with the head of Hartl and it is the head that absorbs the majority of the force of this hit. It is deemed the head contact on this play is avoidable. Desjardins choice and angle of approach is a lane that cuts across the front of Hartl's body, missing his body and picking the head. It is the left arm of Desjardins separating away from the body and slight elevation that becomes the cause of head contact.

If Desjardins wants to deliver this hit, he must choose an angle that leads to body to body contact, keep the free arm tucked and avoid contact that make's the head the primary point of contact.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Andrew Desjardins for 1 game and fined 200.00 euros. In addition, for the duration of Andrew Desjardins's suspension EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV also loses one (1) spot for non-domestic players on the game sheet.

To summarize:
1) This is an illegal check to the head
2) Opponents head is primary point of contact
3) Arm separation to make contact

Previous suspension:
none

Next game Andrew Desjardins (#84) of EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV is allowed to play:
14.10.2022 EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. HC Pustertal Wölfe