One game suspension for Derek Gentile

Thursday night, September 29th, in Ritten, Ritten forward #27 Derek Gentile was assessed a 5-minute Major + Game-Misconduct for an incident, deemed as illegal check to the head or neck on Gherdeina D'Man #2 Terrance Amorosa, resulting in no apparent injury.

As the video shows, Derek Gentile receives a pass in the neutral zone and skates with speed along the side-boards in the direction of his attacking zone. Short before entering the attacking zone, Amorosa, as the defending opponent, is in a defensiveness position on his blue line. Immediately before Amorosa is going to hit Gentile, Gentile is lifting his stick, with both hands on his stick and delivers a hit to the neck are of Amorosa through the use of his stick.

This is an illegal hit to the head or neck.

It is important to note, that the neck are is the main point of contact on this incident, as the stick of Gentile makes direct contact with the neck area. This contact on this play is deemed avoidable, as Gentile is in possession of the puck and should be aware of an upcoming check. Gentiles choice, although deemed reactionary, to raise his stick and making contact to the neck area of Amorosa causes the problem on this play. Instead, Gentile could have chosen to prepare himself for the impending impact by tensing his body and making contact through the use of his shoulder or hip.
Effective immediately, the Alps Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Derek Gentile for 1 game.

To summarize:

• This is an illegal hit to the head or neck
• Directed at the neck area of opposing player
• Opponent unable to protect himself

Previous suspensions: none

Next game Derek Gentile (#27) of Rittner Buam SkyAlps is allowed to play:
13.10.2022 Rittner Buam SkyAlps vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors

DOPS provided the following video: