Piche suspended for three games

According to the Arbitrator and after reviewing video evidence the player Sébastien Piché (#58) of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz, in the game vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia on Sunday, February 26th 2017 time 34:19, made contact with an opponent deemed as Spearing, IIHF Rule 161. As per the EBEL Fundamental Rules V. 5,1 (b), video evidence was sent to PSC(IDOPS) for a final verdict. From the perspective of DOPS, the EBEL PSC has conclusively deemed that Sébastien Piché demonstrated a motion on the opposing player that is defined in the IIHF Rule Book as Spearing.

On February, 26th in a game in Linz, a play occurred involving Linz player Sébastien Piché. The play is deemed spearing. As the video shows; an opposing player in possession of the puck behind the goal line and by the net. When the opposing player releases the puck, Sébastien Piché is located a significant distance away. With the puck being propelled in a direction around the boards away from the travel lane of Sébastien Piché, he chose to maintain a skating pattern in the direction, behind the
net, to the location of the opposing player that propelled the puck. The play was elevated to supplementary discipline. With Sébastien Piché approaching the opposing player from a unaware backside presence and with 2 hands on his stick in a horizontal manner, he chose to propel and propel his stick into the opposing player. It has been determined that Sébastien Piché was aware of the opposing player, used the point (toe) of his stick to make contact and located and targeted his stick in the mid section (rib cage area) of the opposing player. Sébastien Piché made the decision to use his stick in a 'stabbing' like manner, by propelling his hands and stick in the direction of the opposing player, who is unassuming of such contact. Furthermore; with the puck a considerable distance away and the opposing player not having possession of the puck, Sébastien Piché chose to make the spear and should have chose to make a better decision. It has been determined that he recklessly endangered the opposing player causing an apparent injury. Sébastien Piché is suspended for 3 games, effectively immediately.

Key references:
- Injures and endangers the opposing player through use of stick
- Stab motion directly at the opposing player
- Unsuspecting stick action to the opposing player
- Not a repeat offender

From the perspective of DOPS and according to the EBEL Penalty Catalog Ref Nr. 126 – Spearing, Sébastien Piché (#58) of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is suspended for 3 games, effective immediately and fined €750.00.

Next game Sébastien Piché (#58) of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is allowed to play: tbd

DOPS made available following video: