© Sportreport

Thomas Raffl vom EC Red Bull Salzburg wurde wegen eines illegalen Checks gegen den Kopf oder Nacken (IIHF-Regel 48) für ein Spiel gesperrt und mit einer Geldstrafe in Höhe von 200 Euro belegt. Der Vorfall ereignete sich im Freitagsspiel gegen die Vienna Capitals. Der Kapitän der Red Bulls verpasst somit das Sonntagsspiel in Fehérvár.

Das Urteil im Wortlaut:

Thomas Raffl of EC Red Bull Salzburg got suspended for one game and fined 200 Euros due to an incident deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head or Neck (IIHF Rule 48) in Friday´s match against the Vienna Capitals. The Red Bull captain will therefore miss Sunday´s game at Fehérvár.

Thomas Raffl (#5) of EC Red Bull Salzburg, time 04:42 was involved in an incident deemed as an Illegal Check to the Head or Neck (IIHF Rule 48). The video evidence was sent to the win2day ICE Hockey League PSC, which determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline – Category 1 – ‚careless‘.

Friday night, October 10, in Salzburg, Salzburg forward #5 Thomas Raffl was involved in an incident deemed as a check to the head on Vienna D’Man #13 Randy Gazzola resulting in a 5-minute major penalty plus game-misconduct being assessed.

As the video shows, Gazzola gains puck possession in the neutral zone. Being a right hand shot, Gazzola passes the puck forward as Raffl approaches from Gazzola’s left side, considered the unsuspecting side. Raffl approaches Gazzola, cuts to his right and delivers a forceful check up and into the head of Gazzola, making the head of Gazzola the initial and main part of contact.

This is an Illegal Check to the Head.

It is important to note, both elements of a CTH rule are met on this play.1st – the head is clearly the main point of contact of the hit, as Raffl’s right shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with the head of Gazzola. 2nd – the head contact on this play is avoidable. Raffl takes an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Gazzola’s core and picks the head. If Raffl wishes to deliver this check legally, he must take an angle that hits through the shoulder and core of Gazzola.

The ICE Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended Thomas Raffl (#5) for 1 game and fined 200.00 euros.

To summarize:

This is a check to the head
Avoidable
Not a repeat offender
Previous suspension:
none

Next game Thomas Raffl (#5) of EC Red Bull Salzburg is allowed to play:
17.10.2025 Olimpija Ljubljana vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg

DOPS provided the following video: