From the perspective of the CHL Sports Board, Matti Kuparinen (#22) contacted an opponent, from behind, propelling the opposing player head first into the boards.  As the video shows, Matti Kuparinen begins the sequence with a regard for the puck, which is in part the reason the puck is propelled into the air. While the opposing player is focusing on the puck above his head (unaware of an impending body check), Matti Kuparinen disregards his oneness for puck pursuit and instead, chose to make an illegal body check.  Considering the opposing player is a dangerous distance from the boards, the responsibility is with Matti Kuparinen to not make contact from behind.

The CHL Sports Board suspends Matti Kuparinen (#22) of HC Bolzano for 1 game, effective immediately.

Key Points:

1. Contact from behind
2. Opponent is unsuspecting
3. Contact occurs with opponent a dangerous distance from boards
4. Not a repeat offender

Sébastien Piché - Mountfield HK

Sébastien Piché (#55) of Mountfield HK, time 48:23, was involved in an incident deemed by the on-ice officials as Charging (IIHF Rule 122). The video evidence was sent to the CHL Player Safety Committee (PSC), which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 2 – ‘Reckless’.According to the Arbitrator and having considered the video evidence and ruling of the CHL PSC, player Sébastien Piché (#55) of Mountfield HK will receive supplementary discipline under rule 124 – Checking to the Head or Neck.

From the perspective of the CHL Sports Board, Sébastien Piché (#55) made contact to the opposing players head causing an apparent injury.  With play crossing the attacking blue line, the opponent in possession of the puck made a drop pass to his teammate and maintained a consistent forward skating lane. Sébastien Piché (#55) while defending, has the possibility of making a legal body check.  What the opposing player can’t expect is how Sébastien Piché (#55) made the contact.  Instead of making a legal body check using his shoulder or hip, Sébastien Piché (#55) chose to make the check by separating his left arm, elevating both arms (didn’t keep body parts tucked) and extending (contact point) his left arm into the head of the opposing player.  This is deemed an illegal check to the head.

The CHL Sports Board suspends Sébastien Piché (#55) of Mountfield HK for 2 games, effective immediately.

Key Points:

1. Check to the head
2. Left arm separation to use as contact point
3. Considered avoidable
4. Not a repeat offender

Philippe Dupuis - THOMAS SABO Ice Tigers

Philippe Dupuis (#91) of TOMAS SABO Ice Tigers, time 25:26, was involved in an incident deemed by the on-ice officials as Kneeing (IIHF Rule 152). The video evidence was sent to the CHL Player Safety Committee (PSC), which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 1 – ‘Careless’.

According to the Arbitrator and having considered the video evidence and ruling of the CHL PSC, player Philippe Dupuis (#91) of TOMAS SABO Ice Tigers will receive supplementary discipline under rule 152 – Kneeing.

From the perspective of the CHL Sports Board, Philippe Dupuis (#91) made contact to the opposing player through knee to knee contact. The PSC took into consideration that although the contact was knee to knee, Philippe Dupuis (#91) was deemed careless in his approach vs with any form of recklessness or intent.  However, when delivering a check, the responsibility is on the player making contact to make contact using the shoulder or hip and, in this case, the contact was through his knee.  Philippe Dupuis (#91) immediately before contact did alter his body position in a slight left rotation, which appears to be for hip or shoulder contact.  Neither his hip or shoulder made contact with the opponent.  Knee to knee contact was the point of impact and delivery of contact, making the body check illegal.

In addition, while leaving the penalty box to skate to the dressing room, Philippe Dupuis (#91) engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct activity (as per the referee report and 2nd assessed game misconduct) with a opponent.

As per the CHL Disciplinary Code – A player penalized with a 2nd game misconduct in a CHL game, that player will be suspended automatically for 1 game.

The CHL Sports Board suspends Philippe Dupuis (#91) of TOMAS SABO Ice Tigers for 1 game for the kneeing incident and 1 game for the automatic 2nd game misconduct rule, for a total of 2 game suspension, effective immediately.

Key Points (Kneeing):

1. Knee to knee contact
2. No body to body contact (other than knee to knee)
3. Cause of an apparent injury
4. Not a repeat offender