Kozak sits ten

The Stingrays £2000 appeal to lower the 10 game ban given to power forward and key player, Rick Kozak, has been dismissed by the EIHL disciplinary comittee.

The EIHL have released the following press release:

"The Elite Ice Hockey League after further review of the findings of the Disciplinary Committees and Appeal Committee today released the outcome of the cases involving Rick Kozak, Hull Stingrays, and Brad Voth, Cardiff Devils.

The 2008/09 hockey season commenced with significant suspensions being issued to the above players as a consequence of incidents during the first weekend games involving Nottingham Panthers v Hull Stingrays and Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers on Sunday 7th September.

The outcome is that Rick Kozak is suspended with immediate effect for 10 games. Should he be involved in a similar incident during the current season he would automatically serve an additional suspension of 10 games.

Brad Voth is immediately suspended for 12 games and again should a similar incident occur in the current season he would automatically serve an additional suspension of 12 games.

Ice Hockey is an extremely fast and physical sport, which has been played in the UK for over 100 years. An integral part of the sport is the use of enforcers and consequently fights do occur. Fans in the UK have always enjoyed supporting their player in the event of an altercation during a game.

The league has regulations in place for dealing with any incident of when two willing combatants engage in fighting. The league however also has regulations designed to safeguard all players in the form of a suspension tariff, should any player act in an unwarranted manner.

The suspension tariff’s were established by the club coaches and accepted by the league without alteration.

League Chairman Eamon Convery advised, “No one wishes to see player’s suspended, however if a player acts in a manner which is contrary to the league regulations they will find themselves subjected to disciplinary action. These are stiff suspensions, which ought to act as a clear warning to players, coaches and clubs. ”

“The message is simple, play hard and fair in accordance with the rules and normal standards and everyone will enjoy the hockey season. However act in a manner that is unacceptable and you will be punished. In addition the current processes need to reviewed, which has already commenced, with a view to making recommendations when the clubs meet on 7th October”. "

Therefore Stingray Kozak, who played last weekend against Belfast pending an appeal, will have to sit it out for 10 games with a further 10 games sitting over his head. Contrary to some theories it is thought that the Stingrays management see Kozak as an integral part of their team this season, and therefore will stick by him during the ten game ban.

He will miss the following games:

	20/09/08		Coventry Blaze	EL	H
	21/09/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	A
	24/09/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	H
	27/09/08		Sheffield Steelers	EL	A
	28/09/08		Nottingham Panthers	CC	H
	04/10/08		Sheffield Steelers	EL	H
	11/10/08		Nottingham Panthers	EL	H
	12/10/08		Coventry Blaze	CC	A
	18/10/08		Basingstoke Bison	EL	A
	19/10/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	H