Ferguson suspended for two games

Flames forward suspended for Illegal Check to the Head

On Saturday night in Altrincham, Flames forward #18 Brett Ferguson made an illegal check to the head of Storm forward Tyler Hinam.

Hinam received a pass from a teammate on his offensive blue line. In full control of puck Hinam skates into the high slot and whilst in the process of taking a shot, Guildford forward Brett Ferguson skating in an east/west direction delivers a hit cutting across the front of Hinam’s body making the head the principal point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head. Whilst Hinam is eligible to be hit, the onus is on Ferguson to deliver a legal body check that hits through the body or core of Hinam avoiding the head.

It is important to note that both elements of the illegal check to the head rule are satisfied on this hit: firstly, the head is the principal point of contact - Ferguson's shoulder makes contact with the head of Hinam and it is the head that absorbs the majority of the force of this hit. Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable - Ferguson chooses an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Hinam’s body, making contact with the head. If Ferguson wants to deliver this hit, he must stay low and deliver a full body check through the shoulder or chest, rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact.

To Summarise:

• Illegal Hit to the Head

Effective immediately Guildford Flames #19 Brett Ferguson is fined and suspended for two games.

Note: As of the 2024/25 season, per an EIHL board decision, explainer videos will only be produced for suspensions of three games or more.