Louis suspended for three games

Louis suspended for leaving the bench

On Sunday 8 January in Altrincham, Cardiff Devils defenceman Mark Louis was assessed a Major and Game Misconduct for Fighting.

Upon automatic review of the major penalty assessed to Louis, and the initial hit on the play, it was determined that Louis left the players’ bench for the purpose of starting an altercation.

The rules on this play are clearly defined in the IIHF Rulebook and EIHL Casebook as follows:

• IIHF Rulebook (Rule 70): A Player who was the first or second Player to leave the Players’ Bench (or Penalty Box) during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation, from either or both Teams, shall be assessed a Game Misconduct Penalty.
• Casebook (Rule 46: Fighting; Fines & Suspensions) A Player who leaves the players’ bench or penalty bench to join an altercation will receive either a 20 (Game Misconduct) penalty or 2 + 20 (Game Misconduct) penalty and shall be automatically suspended for a minimum of three (3) games, pending a review of the incident.

Effective immediately, Cardiff Devils’ Mark Louis is fined and suspended for three games. This incident will remain on the player’s record for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

Cardiff Devils’ Head Coach Brodie Dupont is fined and warned about the future conduct of his team and control of his bench. This incident will be recorded on Dupont’s record for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

The initial hit on this play did not rise to the level of supplementary discipline, however the EIHL’s Department of Player Safety has noted that a Major Penalty and Game Misconduct should have been assessed on the play. Regardless of the call or no call on the ice, is it never permissible to leave the players' bench for the purposes of starting an altercation as defined under Rule 70.