Release from 16.09.2017

Suspension for DeSousa

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Christopher DeSousa of HCB Südtirol Alperia is suspended by DOPS for one game, because of boarding.

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According to the Arbitrator and after reviewing video evidence, player Christopher DeSousa (#28) of HCB Südtirol Alperia, time 58:09, made contact with an opponent deemed as Boarding IIHF Rule 119. 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, it is clear that  Christopher DeSousa (#28) demonstrated a motion on the opposing player that is defined in the IIHF Rule Book as Boarding.

On September 15th in Bozen a situation occurred involving Bozen player #28 Christopher DeSousa deemed as boarding.  As the video shows, an opposing player #9 is skating in the direction of the attacking net with possession of the puck. With the opposing player having a clear skating lane towards the net, Christopher DeSousa is clearly behind the opposing player.  With limited options to pursue the opposing player and directly from behind, Christopher DeSousa made a conscious decision to use his stick in a illegal manner.  First, by using an aggressive slashing motion, immediately followed by taking his stick to a horizontal (cross checking motion). The action was raised to supplementary discipline, due to the location of Christopher DeSousa stick, to the upper portion of opposing player pants, for the purpose of pushing the opposing player from behind.  The push action caused the opposing player to propel violently into the boards, which is boarding.

The EBEL PSC has determined the incident to be careless. Which is an 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. The incident is deemed careless causing negligence.

At the discretion of the EBEL PSC, incidental contact is when marginal and or accidental contact occurs between two or more players, with a foul that may be deemed by on-ice Officials as a minimum minor penalty or greater.  Contact is part of hockey provided it’s while performing normal defensive and offensive duties, reaching for a loose puck, or otherwise provided that the contact doesn’t allow a player to gain an advantage on the play that causes or may cause an injury based on an illegal act.
 
Effective immediately, Christopher DeSousa is suspended for 1 game.
Key references:
- Push to lower back area
- From behind
- Dangerous proximity from the boards
- Not a repeat offender
From the perspective of DOPS and according to the EBEL Penalty Catalog Ref Nr. 112 - Boarding, Christopher DeSousa (#28) of HCB Südtirol Alperia is suspended for 1 game, effective immediately.

Next game Christopher DeSousa (#28) of HCB Südtirol Alperia is allowed to play: 
22.09.2017 EC-KAC vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia