Release from 11.12.2023

One game suspension for Rick Schofield

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Rick Schofield of the HC Pustertal got a one-game suspension and a 200.00 euros fine for roughing in Sunday's game against Hydro Fehérvár AV19. The Wolves' Alternate Captain will therefore miss the home game against the HC TIWAG Innsbruck on Wednesday, December 20.

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Rick Schofield (#23) of HC Pustertal Wölfe, time 31:41 was involved in an incident deemed as Roughing (IIHF Rule 51). 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'.

Sunday night in Brunico, Pustertal forward #23 Rick Schofield was assessed a minor penalty for an incident deemed as Roughing on Fehervar D-man #8 Marko Csollak, resulting in an apparent injury.

As the video shows, mid way through the second period, Csollak passes the puck to a teammate, alters his skating pattern and runs a pick play on Schofield. As Csollak approaches Schofield, who is
playing without a stick allowing both arms to be free, Schofield grabs Csollak around the head and pulls him to the ice in an overly aggressive manner, causing the head of Csollak to drive directly into the ice, causing an apparent injury.

This is Roughing.

It is important to note, a brief hold or a push on an opponent in a pick play type situation is common within the game. In this incident and the reason for supplementary discipline is where the hold
occurs, which is around the neck area, the aggressiveness of the pull down, whereby Csollak head is in a locked position to not allow any form of protection. With the nature and forceful hold, the result of the action Schofield caused was the top of Csollak's head to be driven directly into the ice. Although the infraction is deemed as holding, the aggressiveness and result was determined by the PSC to be roughing. Furthermore, it is determined, as unusual as it is, is also a form of head contact, by driving the head of the opponent into the ice. In basic, this is not deemed a good hockey play.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Rick Schofield for 1 game and fined 200.00 euros.

To summarize:

  • This is Roughing
  • Caused apparent injury
  • Not a repeat offender

Previous suspension:
none

Next game Rick Schofield (#23) of HC Pustertal Wölfe is allowed to play:
22.12.2023 EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. HC Pustertal Wölfe

DOPS provided the following video: