One-game suspension for Jesper Jensen Aabo

Jesper Jensen Aabo (#41) of EC-KAC, time 25:00 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 in Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt D'Man #41 JesperJensen Aabo was involved in an incident deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head, on Feldkirch forward #26 Guus van Nes, resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus game-misconduct being assessed.

As the video shows, the puck is moving up the wall, where a race for the puck ensues between Aabo and van Nes. At the moment van Nes reaches for and chips the puck, Aabo delivers a forceful body check that makes the head the main point of contact, on a hit where it is deemed such head contact was avoidable.

This is an illegal check to the head.

It is important to note, both elements of the illegal check to the head are satisfied on this play. First, the head is the main point of contact, as the shoulder of Aabo makes direct contact with the head of van Nes and it is the head that accepts the majority of the force of the check. Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable. Aabo takes an angle of approach, the cuts across the front of the body of van Nes, missing his core and picking his head. The angle of approach Aabo took is conceivable, in that it was originally in regard for the puck. Although Aabo may not have had any form of intent leading into the check to make head contact, the responsibility is on Aabo to avoid the head area and make shoulder and core the main point of contact. Not releasing the left arm, loading and delivering a check that makes substantial head contact.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Jesper Jensen Aabo for 1 game and fined 200.00 euros.

To summarize:

1. This is an illegal check to the head
2. Head is main point of contact
3. Not a repeat offender

Previous suspension:
none

Next game Jesper Jensen Aabo (#41) of EC-KAC is allowed to play:
20.10.2023 EC-KAC vs. HK SZ Olimpija

DOPS made following video available: