Suspension for Anthony Luciani

Anthony Luciani (#88) of H Orli Znojmo, time 57:07, was involved in an incident with an opponent deemed as Roughing, IIHF Rule 158. The video evidence was sent to the EBEL Player Safety Committee (PSC), which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 2 – ‘Reckless’- a deliberate and/or dangerous action with no concern for the result, with a conscious action to provoke, through intent and a willful purpose. Injury is not the determining factor,but can be considered as influentialmeans to the decision.

According to the Arbitratorand having considered the video evidence and ruling of the EBEL PSC, player Anthony Luciani (#88) of H Orli Znojmo willl receive supplementary discipline under rule 158 – Roughing.

On October 6 in Znojmo, late in the game, Znojmo player #88 Anthony Luciani received a 5/GM for Roughing for an incident on #89 of HCI.

It is important to note the same 2 players were involved in a confrontationat the 11:13 mark of the 3rd period, where for no apparent reason, HCI #89 cross checked, followed by an aggressive head lock and then a form of a taunt while Anthony Luciani was on the ice. Approximately 8mins later in game, Anthony Luciani challenged HCI #89 off the face-off. With play going into the HCI end zone, HCI #89 made a choice to disregard play and skate the opposite direction (towards Anthony Luciani), which is considered provoking and a challenge.

Anthony Luciani, with HCI #89 skating towards him, removed his left arm and delivered a single punch to HCI #89. Regardless of what a player may feel from previous or past incidents, a player (in this case Anthony Luciani) never has the right to take the law into his own hands and use aggressive tactics against an opposing player.

The reason for supplementary discipline, is while HCI #89 is laying on the ice, Anthony Luciani who is in the hands of the linesman, made a choice to not skate towards the penalty box as he must do. Instead,he resisted the linesman and skated in a backwards motion, the opposite direction of the penalty box, to engage HCI #89 a second time. At which time, Anthony Luciani dropped down on top of HCI #89, who is laying on the ice and unsuspecting.

Effectiveimmediately, Anthony Luciani (#88) is suspended for 2 games.

Key references:

• One punch to start incident
• Did not proceed directly to penalty box 
• Deemed a Category 2 - 'Reckless' 
• Not a repeat offender 

From the perspective of DOPS and according to the EBEL Penalty Catalog Ref Nr. 116 - Roughing, Anthony Luciani (#88) of H Orli Znojmo is suspended for 2 games, effectiveimmediately.

Next game Anthony Luciani (#88) of H Orli Znojmo is allowed to play:
12.10.2018HC Orli Znojmo vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia

DOPS made following Video available: