Three-game suspension for Cedric Lacroix

Cedric Lacroix (#14) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, time 56:26 was involved in an incident deemed as Head-butting (IIHF Rule 47). The video evidence was sent to the win2day ICE Hockey League PSC, which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 2 - 'Reckless'.

Sunday morning in Graz, Feldkirch center #14 Cedric Lacroix was involved in an incident deemed as head-butting on Graz center-man #13 Michael Schiechl resulting in an apparent injury.

As the video shows, both Lacroix and Schiechl engage each other at the face-off. As play develops, Schiechl maintains a legal moving pick play to a create ice for his teammate, as Lacroix maintains a regard for making a defensive play in the direction of the puck carrier. At mid ice Schiechl makes a slight skating adjustment to his left which is in the path of Lacroix, naturally creating a body to body contact position, which is deemed part of the game. The body movement of Lacroix, leading with his head making head to head contact is deemed illegal. This is head-butting.

It is important to note this is not deemed an incidental type movement, where two players head's can make contact within a ice battle. Instead, it is deemed that Lacroix made a purposeful head movement directly at Schiechl, striking Schiechl in the head, causing an apparent injury. Considering Lacroix aware of Schiechl, the 2 players engaging from the face-off area and Lacroix starting his body movement with his left hand engaging first, demonstrates this is not an incidental head movement, raising the head movement to a head-butt, warranting supplementary discipline.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Cedric Lacroix for 3 games and fined 750.00 euros.

To summarize:
1) This is head-butting
2) Contact to opponent's head
3) Caused an apparent injury

Previous suspension:
none

Next game Cedric Lacroix (#14) of BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg is allowed to play:
14.10.2023 EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg