Release from 16.10.2017

Suspension for Jacob Dowell

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Jacob Dowell of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz got suspended by DOPS for five games, because of Checking to the Head or Neck.

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According to the Arbitrator and after reviewing video evidence, the player Jacob Dowell (#22) of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz, in the home-game vs. HC Orli Znojmo on Sunday, October 15th 2017 time 45:41, made contact with an opponent deemed as Checking to the Head or Neck IIHF Rule 124. 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  Jacob Dowell (#22) demonstrated a motion on the opposing player that is defined in the IIHF Rule Book as Checking to the Head or Neck.
On October 15th in Linz a situation occurred involving a Linz player, #22 Jacob Dowell. As play moved up the ice into the Linz d-zone, Znojmo player #44, Petr Mrazek, picks up a loose puck and immediately engages in taking a shot. The shot created the body of Znojmo #44 player to continue his motion towards the high slot area. Znojmo #44, in taking the shot, had a normal shooting stance. Immediately after puck release, Mrazek did have a body position that became lower due to the momentum (not intentional) of his shot which did contribute slightly to the extent of the injury, but not the cause of the injury.
Jacob Dowell entering his d-zone from the middle of the ice, chose to turn to his right for the purpose of taking a lane away from the Znojmo puck carrier. Dowell continued his skating path directly at the on coming Znojmo player to make body contact. The body check was raised to supplementary discipline due to Jacob Dowell making the principal point and direct contact with the opposing players head. Jacob Dowell made no attempt to make a legal body check by contact through the shoulder or hip (which is part of the criteria of a legal body check). Instead, Jacob Dowell engaged the opposing player chest first and used his arms as the main contact point to the opposing players head. It has also been determined that Jacob Dowell lunged forward to create additional force. Effective immediately, Jacob Dowell is suspended for 5 games.
 
Key references:
- Principal point of contact to opposing players head
- Arms used as contact point to opposing players head
- Lunged forward to increase force
- Not a repeat offender
 
The EBEL PSC determined the incident to be a Category 3 – ‘Intentional’ - a willful purpose to injure. Incident is deemed serious in nature and is considered a willful negligence act of intent to cause injury, iintending to affect the game by making illegal and/or unsuspecting contact.
From the perspective of DOPS and according to the EBEL Penalty Catalog Ref Nr. 111 - Checking to the Head or Neck Jacob Dowell (#22) of EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz  is suspended for 5 games, effective immediately. 
 
Next game Jacob Dowell of EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz is allowed to play:
05.11.2017 EC VSV vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz
 
DOPS made available following video: