David Broll suspended for two games

Blaze forward receives ban for boarding

An incident occurred in Coventry on Saturday 18 January, involving Coventry Blaze's #15 David Broll on Dundee Stars' #16 Riley O'Connor for which a 5 minute Major and Game Misconduct Boarding call was assessed by the Referee.

The incident was reviewed by the EIHL's Department of Player Safety which determined supplementary discipline is required under Category 2 – ‘Reckless’ – a deliberate and/or dangerous action with no concern for the result, with a conscious action to provoke, through intent and a willful purpose.  Injury is not the determining factor, but can be considered as influential means to the decision. 

As the video shows Coventry Blaze, in the attacking zone, rim the puck around the boards. In a change of possession, Reilly O'Connor gains puck possession behind the net and skates along the boards towards the corner boards. In gaining puck possession, O'Connor did not have a lot of options other than the skating path he took in tracking the puck. Following immediately behind O'Connor, from the back of the net to the corner boards, David Broll was in a position of trailing and tracking O'Connor. In doing so, Broll delivered a body check which is deemed aggressive, excessive and to O'Connor's backside, causing an apparent injury.

The reason for the review and supplementary discipline is Broll, in following O'Connor from behind the net to the corner, had the back numbers of O'Connor visible the whole way. In seeing the back numbers, it is the responsibility of Broll to either minimise or avoid backside contact. Furthermore, Broll had no regard for the puck. Instead was able to take advantage of a player who was in a position to not prepare adequately for this type of check. Visible by the bottom hand of the stick and beginning to load up for a check well before contact occurred, Broll was able to elevate slightly up and in, which caused the head of O'Connor to propel into the boards, causing an apparent injury. 

Broll must attempt to minimise contact when following and/or seeing the back numbers of an opposing player. He must also maintain his skating lane to angle off opposing player instead of taking advantage of a defenseless player from behind.

Effective immediately, Coventry Blaze #15 David Broll is suspended for 2 games and fined £200.00. 

Key References:

• Boarding
• Reckless and endangering
• From behind causing an apparent injury
• Category 2 Reckless