The CHL Sport Disciplinary Panel has suspended Graz99ers player Paul Stapelfeldt for one game and fined him €700 after ruling that he deliberately extended his knee into SaiPa forward Patrik Siikanen during a Tuesday game. The suspension is effective immediately, and Stapelfeldt will be considered a repeat offender if further CHL supplementary discipline is required against him.
The incident occurred at 12:10. Stapelfeldt was assessed a major penalty and automatic game misconduct for kneeing, and the collision resulted in an apparent injury to Siikanen. The panel reviewed video evidence and classified the incident as Category 1, “Careless”.
According to the panel’s explanation, Stapelfeldt initially lined up a body check while Siikanen had possession of the puck. When Siikanen moved left to avoid contact, Stapelfeldt adjusted his lower body and extended his knee into Siikanen’s, causing a leg-on-leg collision. The panel said the contact was not unavoidable and warranted supplementary discipline under IIHF Rule 50.