Posted on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
After an official request by the Belfast Giants, the Elite League disciplinary panel has reviewed an incident from their match against Cardiff on Thursday 27th September 2012. After an extensive review, including reports from the three on-ice officials and slow-motion footage, it has been decided that Max Birbraer will be penalised with a match penalty for a check to the head on Belfast defenceman Brock Matheson.
The penalty carries a three-match ban and will now be enforced.
Head of discipline, Simon Kirkham, said: “The evidence shows that the main point of contact for the check was to the head and neck area by Max Birbraer on Brock Matheson, which means that Birbraer will be assessed a match penalty.
“This is covered in the IIHF rule book under 540 – Checking to the Head and Neck area paragraph A – and covered in the EIHL suspension guidelines with a minimum tariff of three matches.
“The disciplinary panel have not increased on the minimum tariff, so Birbraer misses three matches.”
The matches are follows:
Saturday 29th September 2012: Cardiff Devils v Edinburgh Capitals
Tuesday 2nd October 2012: Cardiff Devils @ Nottingham Panthers
Saturday 6th October Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers
He will be free to return for Cardiff”s trip to Coventry Blaze on Sunday 7th October 2012.
