Kivilahti suspended for an illegal check to the head

Blaze forward receives one game ban

On Saturday night in Belfast, Blaze forward Janne Kivilahti made an illegal check to the head on Giants forward Lewis Hook.

As the video shows, Hook collects a pass for his teammate in the slot, while Kivilahti tracks the puck through the end zone. As Hook collects the puck and takes a shot on net - scoring the game winning goal - Kivilahti delivers a hit that cuts across the front of Hook's core, making his head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact is avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.

It is important to note that while there may be some contact with Hook's body, the head is clearly the main point of contact on this hit. Kivilahti‘s shoulder hits through Hook's head, and it is the head that absorbs the brunt of the impact. It is also important to note that the head contact on this play is avoidable.

While Hook is turning slightly as he makes a play on the puck, he does not significantly change the position of his head or body prior too, or simultaneously with, the check in a way that significantly contributes to the head being the main point of contact. If Kivilahti wants to deliver this hit legally he must take an angle of approach that hits through Hook's shoulder and core, rather than one that cuts across the front of his body making his head the main point of contact. 

To summarise:

• This is an illegal check to the Head
• Kivilahti has neither been fined or suspended during the 21/22 Premier Sports Elite League Season 

Effective immediately, Coventry Blaze's Janne Kivilahti fined and suspended for one game.