Decision Review System Outcome: Saturday 28th December

Milton Keynes Lightning #15 James Griffin

The DRS review requested by Peterborough Phantoms is upheld.

A DRS review was requested of an incident at 41.12 of the third period of the game when Peterborough #45 was checked by MK #15, this was assessed as a 2-minute minor penalty for Interference Rule 56.

PB #45 skates over the blue line and releases the puck into the zone MK #15 is in front and to the right of PB #45 and he chooses to “finish his check”.

PB #45 is aware of the incoming check and braces slightly to receive the check.

The check is neither simultaneous with or immediately on releasing the puck.

As PB #45 was no longer in possession of the puck he was not eligible to be checked.

The check is shoulder to shoulder with no upward movement towards the head or neck area of PB #45 and the head is not picked or targeted as a secondary impact point during the check.

Both players fall to the ice, with MK #15 landing on top of PB #45 and at this point incidental body to head impact could have occurred due to the way the players fell.

During game play this was called as a 2-minute minor penalty for interference. (Late Hit)

PB #45 left the game and did not return with concussion cited as a concern and an injury form completed. However, PB #45 played the following night on a regular shift pattern.  

The penalty called during game play a 2- minute minor is incorrect for the situation.

While the Late hit was shoulder to shoulder with no targeting of the head or neck area, MK #15 had time to change path but chose to complete his check on an ineligible player.

This check is not sufficiently sanctioned by the minor penalty; therefore, the penalty is increased to a 5-minute Major under Rule 56.4

“The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a Major Penalty to a Player guilty of “interference” on an opponent, and who recklessly endangers the fouled Player in a way that at the discretion of the Referee such Player would not be sufficiently sanctioned by imposing a Minor Penalty. “

The penalty on MK#15 is upgraded to a 5-minute major penalty and the player will receive 1 Penalty Point and is free to play subject to accumulated penalty points