DOPS: Week 09 of 2026

Basingstoke Bison #13 - Zak Shankar

Rule 48.3 - Checking to the Head or Neck Area @ 3/10:43

On review it has been adjudicated that the penalty assessed at 3/10:43 -- a major and game misconduct penalty Rule 48.3 - Checking to the Head of Neck Area -- is correct.

With play along the boards in the Leeds defensive zone, Basingstoke #13 checks the puck carrier. As he does so, he raises his elbow and makes contact with the Leeds player's Head/Neck area. The contact is neither minimal nor is it delivered with significant force. The incident was appropriately penalised by a major and game misconduct under Rule 48:

48.3 MAJOR PENALTY AND GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY

The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a major penalty and an automatic game misconduct penalty if, in their judgment, the Player recklessly endangers their opponent by an “illegal check to the head or neck”. Such assessment of reckless endangerment shall be based on the severity of the infraction, severity of the contact, the degree of violence and the general reprehensibility involved

Due to the actions undertaken, the player receives zero penalty points on their record. As a tier-1 offence, the player is suspended for one game. The team shall receive five penalty points. 
Total games suspended is one game. Note that this sanction was served on March 1st and the player is now free to play.