Suspension Davide Girardi

Davide Girardi (#97) of HC Unterland Cavaliers, time 51:57, made contact with an opponent deemed as cross-checking, IIHF Rule 59. 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.

Saturday night, October 22nd, in Zell am See, Unterland forward #97 Davide Girardi was assessed a 5-minute Major and a Game-Misconduct for cross checking Zell am See D'Man #55 Daniel Vojta, resulting in no reported injury.

As the video shows, Unterland is in puck possession, moving through the neutral zone. Immediately after a dump in, Girardi shifts his skating lane towards the attacking zone, while Vojta is in position for a defensive play on Girardi, in the event Girardi gains puck possession. As the 2 players approach each other, Girardi raises his stick horizontally to the head area of Vojta.
This is cross checking.

It is important to note Vojta is the initiator of this incident, in that once the puck goes past, he plants and prepares to take the skating lane of Girardi away. On this play, the reason for supplementary discipline, is although Vojta is running the pick play, Girardi does not have the right to raise his stick horizontally to the head area of his opponent. In raising his stick, Girardi also extends his arms, through the use of his stick, to deliver contact through the head area of Vojta. This maybe a case of a last second reaction, but the responsibility to avoid raising the stick as high as Girardi did in a manner that is careless and dangerous, leaving his opponent with no way to protect himself, is not permitted.

Effective immediately, Davide Girardi (#97) of HC Unterland Cavaliers is suspended for 1 game.
To summarize:
- This is cross checking
- Directed in the head area of opponent
- Not a repeat offender

Previous suspensions:
none

Next game Davide Girardi (#97) of HC Unterland Cavaliers is allowed to play:
29.10.2022 Steinbach Steel Wings Linz vs. Hockey Unterland Cavaliers