Release from 23.12.2025

Two games suspension for Leon Widhalm

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Leon Widhalm of EK Die Zeller Eisbären got suspended for two matches due to an incident deemed as Checking from Behind (IIHF Rule 43) in Monday’s match in Sisak. The forward will therefore miss Friday’s home match against Sterzing and Sunday’s clash in Jesenice.

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Leon Widhalm (#69) of EK Die Zeller Eisbären, time 34:49, made contact with an opponent deemed as Checking from Behind (IIHF Rule 43). Based on the video evidence, it is determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 2 – ʻRecklessʼ.

Monday night, December 22, in Sisak, Zell am See forward #69 Leon Widhalm was involved in an incident deem as Checking from Behind on Sisak forward #86 Danila Larionovs resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus automatic game-misconduct being assessed.

As the video shows, Larionovs receives the puck near his attacking blue line, while Widhalm is exiting his defensive zone on the opposite side of the ice. Anticipating the play, Widhalm takes multiple strides and delivers a forceful hit on Larionovs. At the moment of contact, Larionovs has no time to prepare for or react to the impending impact. The hit is delivered from an unsuspecting backside approach, with significant force.

This is Checking from Behind.

While it is common in these situations near the blue line for a defending player to attempt to deny zone entry or limit ice, all such actions must be executed within the rules. What elevates this play to supplementary discipline is the lack of awareness afforded to Larionovs, who is struck while unsuspecting. Widhalm sees the back numbers of Larionovs with sufficient time to adjust or alter his approach. The only reason contact is not made squarely to the back is due to Larionovs rotating his body immediately prior to impact; otherwise, this hit would have been significantly more dangerous. In this case, Widhalm had sufficient time to choose a safer alternative—such as angling his opponent or reducing the force of the check—rather than delivering a hit with an approach and delivery from behind.

As a result, and effective immediately, the Alps Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Leon Widhalm for 2 games.

To summarize:

  • This is Checking from Behind
  • Unsuspecting
  • Not a repeat offender

Previous suspensions:
none

Next game Leon Widhalm (#69) of EK Die Zeller Eisbären is allowed to play:
30.12.2025 EK DIe Zeller Eisbären vs. Rittner Buam SkyAlps

DOPS provided the following video: