One game suspension for Tyler Cuma

Tyler Cuma (#19) of EK Die Zeller Eisbären, time 19:12, made contact with an opponent deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head or Neck, IIHF Rule 48. Based on the video evidence, it is determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 1 – ‘Careless’ – insufficient attention or thought to avoid harm or error. Liable to happen as a consequence of, by intending to affect an opponent through a reactionary or accidental motion or the incident is deemed careless causing negligence.

Wednesday night, January 3rd, in Zell am See, Zell am See D'Man #19 Tyler Cuma was assessed a 2-minute Minor penalty for an illegal check to the head or neck area of Jesenice forward #9 Zan Jezovsek.

As the video shows, Jesenice plays the puck out of their D'Zone and Jezovsek is trying to get to the loose puck. At the time he is crossing the blue line to enter his attacking zone, he gets trip by Cuma, who is showing no regard for the puck on this play. After a battle for the loose puck at the half-wall, the play is stopped by the on-ice officals to assess the tripping penalty to Cuma, in this moment Cuma is delivering a hit on Jezovsek making the head of Jezovsek the main point of contact.

This is a check to the head.

It is important to note, it is not the tripping penalty raising this play to the level of supplementary discipline, instead the fact to deliver a hit on a player not in possession of the puck, who is just getting up off the ice, has his focus on the puck and is unsuspecting of the coming impact brings this play to the level of supplementary discipline. Tyler Cuma, at the height of his blue line, had the chance to play the puck, instead he chooses to trip his opponent. After realizing, to be penalized for tripping, Tyler Cuma took a few strides into the direction of his opponent and delivered a hard, forceful hit to an opponent in a vulnarable position, where the head is the main point of contact.

Effective immediately, Tyler Cuma of EK Die Zeller Eisbären, is suspended for 1 game.

To summarize:

• This is a check to the head
• Main point of contact to the head
• Opposing player in a vulnerable position

Previous suspensions:
none

Next game Tyler Cuma (#19) of EK Die Zeller Eisbären is allowed to play:
TBA

DOPS provided the following video: