The SM League considered Pelicans to have violated the competition rules in the game of the final series against Tappara.
The Ice Hockey Championship has imposed a fine on the Pelicans. According to the league’s board, Pelicans’ actions in the final series match Pelicans–Tappara played on April 25 violated the competition rules of the SM league.
The SM League did not tell Pelicans the amount of the fine. According to Urheilu’s information, we can talk about a considerable amount.
In the fourth league final, in Pelicans’ home match, the video board showed a person who said that he had filed a criminal complaint against the Tappara player. Southeastern Finland’s police have confirmed to MTV that they have started a preliminary investigation into the matter. Pelicans CEO Lauri Pöyhönen previously told STT that the club knew about the criminal complaint.
According to the view of the SM league board, Pelicans’ actions violated the competition rules.
“According to section 15. Video board and its use of the competition rules, the image shown on the video board in the event arena may not be used to provoke, for example, the opponent or the referee. In that match, Pelicans has provoked the opponent’s player by using the video board,” says the SM league’s press release.
The penalty the Pelicans get is rare. At least in recent years, no punishment has been given for provocation on the video board.
Tappara beat Pelicans in the final series of the SM league. Tappara celebrated the championship with a 4–1 victory.