Tuesday 18 April, 2023

The NIHL Discipline panel have issued the below statement following an incident which took place in the NIHL South 1 Playoff Semi Final game between Solent Devils and Invicta Dynamos on Saturday 8 April:

In the closing moments of the NIHL 1 South playoff semi final game between the Solent Devils and the Invicta Dynamos, Invicta Dynamos forward Juraj Húska was assessed a match penalty for interference with spectators.

The incident took place at 59:24 immediately following Solent’s equalising goal.

Video footage from the game shows Juraj Húska unable to close down a shot from Solent #5, Mark Pitts . The subsequent rebound is converted by Solent #15, Jamie Fitzpatrick. Just as the goal goes in, Húska, who is now travelling away from the goal, turns just in time to see the goal go in. Gliding backwards and approaching the end zone faceoff dot at this point, Húska swings his stick with both arms in a baseball bat swing motion, spinning 180 degrees and releases his grip, sending the stick in an upwards trajectory. The stick travelled over the plexi glass, and into the tiered seating where it struck two supporters.

In line with the 2022/23 Discipline Policy, the act of throwing equipment is split into 5 different tariff tiers. Due to the reckless nature of throwing the stick, along with the stick leaving the playing area and then striking two supporters, this incident has been judged to be as Tariff 5, the highest tariff level.

As per the discipline policy, Juraj Húska has been suspended for 2 seasons.