The CHL Sports Board has ruled to suspend Ilves Tampere's Tuomas Salmela one game for an incident that took place during the Finnish club's Game Day 6 clash with the Stavanger Oilers of Norway.

Tuomas Salmela (#61) of Ilves Tampere, time approximately 30:51, was involved in an incident deemed as an Illegal check to the head or neck (IIHF Rule 48). The video evidence has determined the incident to be worthy of supplementary discipline - Category 1– ‘Careless’- insufficient attention or thought to avoid harm or error.

According to the Arbitrator and having considered the video evidence and ruling of the CHL PSC, Tuomas Salmela (#61) of Ilves Tampere, will receive supplementary discipline under Illegal check to the head or neck - IIHF Rule 48.

On Wednesday night, Ilves defenseman Tuomas Salmela (#61)  used an action, deemed as an Illegal check to the head or neck, against Stavanger Oilers forward #16 Andre Strandborg, which he was not assessed as a penalty. As the video shows, with Strandborg in possession of the puck, skating behind the net of the attacking zone, Salmela picks up the read to defend Strandborg. In making a hit, Salmela delivers a forceful and direct contact to the head of Strandborg. This is a check to the head.

It is important to note that although Salmela has the right and must pursue Strandborg, he must make a hit or angle off in a legal means. Instead, Salmela, with no regard for a puck first play, resorted to an aggressive approach, which lead to his left shoulder making initial and direct contact to the head, missing the body of the opponent. The head contact did lead to an apparent injury.

The CHL Sports Disciplinary Board suspends Tuomas Salmela (#61) of Ilves Tampere for 2 games, effective immediately. In addition, he has been given a €1400 fine and will be considered a repeat offender in the event supplementary discipline is required within the CHL.

Provided video evidence