One game suspension for Vlastimil Dostalek

Vlastimil Dostalek (#15) of HC Gherdeina valgardena.it, time 25:17, 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”.

Sunday night, March 22, in Gherdeina, an incident occurred involving Gherdeina forward Vlastimil Dostalek (#15) and Salzburg D'Man Alexander Rebernig (#47) resulting in a major penalty plus game-misconductbeing assessed by the on-ice officials.

Salzburg was in possession of the puck in the attacking zone, and as the puck was passed to the blue line, Rebernig—skating backwards—created an offside situation. At this moment, Dostalek approached from the blind side and delivered a check to an unsuspecting opponent, with the head as the principal point of contact.

This is a check to the head.

It is important to note Rebernig is in a vulnerable and unsuspecting position due to his backwards skating posture and lack of awareness of the impending contact. Dostalek fails to sufficiently adjust the angle and height of the hit, resulting in direct contact to the head. This is a reckless play. While there is no clear evidence of intent to injure, Dostalek shows a lack of control and awareness, delivering a dangerous hit where the head is the main point of contact. Checks where the head is the main point of contact and such contact was avoidable are illegal. In this case, Dostalek had the opportunity to minimize or avoid contact with the head but did not do so.

Effective immediately, the Alps Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Vlastimil Dostalek for 1 game.

To summarize:- This is a check to the head- Unsuspecting- Not a repeat offender