Two games suspension for Daniel Catenacci

Daniel Catenacci (#71) of HC Pustertal Wölfe, time 56:17 was involved in an incident deemed as Cross-Checking (IIHF Rule 59). 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'.

Monday night in Szekesfehervar, Pustertal forward #71 Daniel Catenacci delivered a cross-check on Fehervar D'Man #43 Carter Robertson. Resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus game misconduct being assessed by the on-ice officials.

As the video shows, late in the game with a delayed penalty present, Catenacci played the puckensuring a stoppage in play. At the stoppage, Catenacci directs the puck at the open net of AVS, immediately raising an alertness to emotion and the reason Robertson tapped Catenacci on the leg behind the goal net. Instead of proceeding to the players bench, Catenacci stops, turns and raises his stick high with both hands and deliberately strikes Robertson in the head with substantial force.

This is cross-checking.

It is important to note there are numerous factors that separate this play from other cross check violations, elevating the incident to supplementary discipline. This is not the case of Robertson being aggressive or delivering a gesture that warrants the possibility of a player defending himself or a cause for a stick to come up high. Instead, play occurs well after the stoppage in play. Catenacci is aware, was the cause of raising emotion and was fully in control. Catenacci choses to raise his stick to the level of Robertson's head and deliver a forceful strike to the face with his stick. In short, this is not a hockey play and not deemed accidental or deemed an inadvertent use of the stick while leveraging for body position.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Daniel Catenacci for 2 games and fined 500,00 euros.

To summarize:

• This is cross-checking
• Contact to opponent's head
• Forceful

Previous suspension:
none

Next game Daniel Catenacci (#71) of HC Pustertal Wölfe is allowed to play:
TBA

DOPS provided the following video: