Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Marcel out for quarters Marcel out for quarters

Press Release 

  The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has issued a one-game suspension to Czech defenceman Patrik Marcel. Marcel will miss his team’s quarter-final match against Finland.

The suspension comes as a result of a knee-on-knee hit committed by Marcel against Slovakia’s David Minarik during the final preliminary round match between the two teams on 31 December. He was assessed a five-minute kneeing major and a game misconduct on the play, which occurred in the second period. Following the hit Minarik had to be helped off the ice and did not return to the game.

After reviewing the hit and holding a hearing with the player, the Disciplinary Panel determined that at no point Marcel intended to play the puck, and that as the checking player he has the obligation to alter his body position when initiating the check in order to avoid the knee to knee / upper thigh contact. Rather than make contact body to body/shoulder to shoulder or face on, Marcel chose to leave his right leg out.

The Panel decided that this was a dangerous hit that resulted in injury and warrants additional disciplinary action in the form of a one-game suspension. Marcel will miss his team’s playoff game against Finland on 2 January but can return to play for the team if they advance to the next round.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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