The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has issued a two-game suspension to Team Austria defenceman Philipp Wimmer for a violation of IIHF Official Rule 124-Checking to the Head and Neck Area.
Wimmer will miss Austria’s Group B games on 28 December against Sweden and 29 December against Russia.
The violation occurred at 58:53 in the 3rd period of the game between USA and Austria. USA forward Patrick Moynihan was skating towards Austria’s net. Moynihan received a pass between the blue line and the center line and passed the puck further to his teammate on the left side.
After Moynihan passed the puck to his teammate Wimmer – who skated in parallel a few meters from Moynihan watching his opponent – suddenly changed his direction and initiated a check to Moynihan, who was unaware of Wimmer approaching from his blind spot. Wimmer directed his body with a strong upward motion to the head of Moynihan. Wimmer’s upward motion resulted in his skates leaving the ice as he delivered the blow to the head of Moynihan. Both players fell on the ice, but Wimmer was able to get up immediately while Moynihan remained on the ice for a moment before leaving the ice.
Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that, because Wimmer engaged in a strong upward motion with his skates leaving the ice as he made contact with Moynihan’s head, Wimmer’s actions were extremely dangerous, created a serious risk of injury to Moynihan and violated IIHF Official Rule 124-Checking to the Head and Neck Area. Wimmer could have delivered a clean check rather than a check to the head in this situation.
Wimmer will therefore receive a two-game suspension, and will miss Austria’s next preliminary round game against Sweden and its following preliminary round game against Russia. He will be eligible to return for Austria’s game against the Czech Republic on 31 December.
Wimmer will miss Austria’s Group B games on 28 December against Sweden and 29 December against Russia.
The violation occurred at 58:53 in the 3rd period of the game between USA and Austria. USA forward Patrick Moynihan was skating towards Austria’s net. Moynihan received a pass between the blue line and the center line and passed the puck further to his teammate on the left side.
After Moynihan passed the puck to his teammate Wimmer – who skated in parallel a few meters from Moynihan watching his opponent – suddenly changed his direction and initiated a check to Moynihan, who was unaware of Wimmer approaching from his blind spot. Wimmer directed his body with a strong upward motion to the head of Moynihan. Wimmer’s upward motion resulted in his skates leaving the ice as he delivered the blow to the head of Moynihan. Both players fell on the ice, but Wimmer was able to get up immediately while Moynihan remained on the ice for a moment before leaving the ice.
Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that, because Wimmer engaged in a strong upward motion with his skates leaving the ice as he made contact with Moynihan’s head, Wimmer’s actions were extremely dangerous, created a serious risk of injury to Moynihan and violated IIHF Official Rule 124-Checking to the Head and Neck Area. Wimmer could have delivered a clean check rather than a check to the head in this situation.
Wimmer will therefore receive a two-game suspension, and will miss Austria’s next preliminary round game against Sweden and its following preliminary round game against Russia. He will be eligible to return for Austria’s game against the Czech Republic on 31 December.