Patrick Spannring gets two-game suspension

Patrick Spannring (#61) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, time 02:34 was involved in an incident deemed as Kneeing (IIHF Rule 50). 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'.

Thursday night in Klagenfurt, Feldkirch forward #61 Patrick Spannring was involved in an incident deemed as Kneeing on Klagenfurt center man #47 Marcel Witting resulting in an apparent injury.

As the video shows, Witting is skating across the blue line with puck possession. As Spannring approaches in a defensive manner, Witting dishes the puck back, is aware of Spannring approaching and does alter his body, but determined in an effort to minimize contact, not create contact. Spannring does load up and prepares to make a check. The missed timing of the check resulted in Spannring altering his body, extending his leg out and leading with his knee.

This is Kneeing.

It is important to note that while Witting is attempting to move by Spannring on this play, this is not a case where an exceptionally sharp or sudden movement by a player receiving a hit, turns the potential for a full body check into leg on leg contact. Both players are moving in different direction which means Spannring must recognize that Witting is skating through and he responds to this, by thrusting his knee forward in an attempt to get a piece of Witting. While this is a common response in a last second attempt to get a piece of an opponent, on this play, the only piece of contact Spannring is able to make is direct and forceful leg to leg contact. The saving portion of this hit, is the fact Witting's leg that received contact was not weight bearing, which provided a lesser injury than maybe received if the leg was weight bearing.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Patrick Spannring for 1 game for the Kneeing infraction and an additional 1 game as a repeat offender and fined 400.00 euros.

To summarize:

• This is Kneeing
• Direct Leg-on-Leg contact
• Repeat offender

Previous suspension:
01.10.2023 Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg
1 game - IIHF 43 Checking from Behind - https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/5DolapB6-jgaFqUWd
14.10.2023 EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg
2 games - IIHF 41 Boarding - https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/00ScOeoR

Next game Patrick Spannring (#61) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg is allowed to play:
TBA

DOPS provided the following video: