The CHL Sports Board has ruled to suspend HC Bolzano's Daniel Catenacci one game for an incident that took place during the Italian club's Game Day 4 clash with Frisk Asker.

Catenacci was issued a 5+game penalty at 20:21 for spearing. The Sports Board deemed the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline under IIHF Rule 62 (Spearing), at the Category 1 level (Careless – insufficient attention or thought to avoid harm or error).

Immediately following a center ice face-off, Bolzano forward #7 Daniel Catenacci and Asker forward #20 Anders Bastiansen, both centerman, engaged each other in pursuit of the puck. While both players did engage in a physical manner, it is determined that Bastiansen did nothing illegal.

As the video shows - Bolzano gain puck possession, the puck travels a considerable distance from Catenacci and the physical engagement between Catenacci and Bastiansen concludes, Catenacci then makes a willing choice to use his stick in an illegal manner. Furthermore, Catenacci has his back to Bastiansen, meaning the spear that occurs is considered unsuspected.

The reason for supplementary discipline is Catenacci using his stick in a spearing motion. The stick of Catenacci made contact with the groin of Bastiansen. Considering the intent (unsuspecting spear) and that one-on-one battles do occur during face-offs, the Sports Board concluded that there is no probable explanation for Catenacci using his stick in an illegal spearing motion and that supplementary discipline is required.

The CHL Sports Board suspends Daniel Catenacci (#7) of HC Bolzano for 1 game, effective immediately. 

Video explanation