In the Ice Hockey SM League, an exceptional number of transverse sticks to the head have been seen this season. While in previous seasons there were two to three of these in discipline, this season there have already been six of them.
Since autumn 2010, he has been a disciplinarian of the SM league Sampo Liusjärvi has not seen as many incidents in a season before.
– Today we are processing the sixth for this season, and in the past we have had two or three numbers in a couple of seasons, says Liusjärvi.
According to the disciplinary manager, transverse sticks aimed at the head were seen in disciplinary action for the first time in the 2020–21 season.
– In disciplinary matters, punches across the face started to appear when full-plexes were introduced in the League. At that time, there were three situations that hit the plexus. No injuries were caused by them, but suspensions were given, Liusjärvi stated.
– I haven’t looked through the history comprehensively, but at the time we made such observations.
Transverse sticks were seen especially in the quarter-final series between HIFK and Luko. Ilari Melartin, Henri Ikonen and Miro Väänänen the cases proceeded to disciplinary proceedings, in addition to which Sebastian Repo hit the opponent in the face with a cross.
Lions head coach Jukka Jalonen considers the trend bad, although he hopes that it is not a larger phenomenon either. He sees that the teams have had more to lose in the quarter-finals stage, which is why the emotions have been on the surface.
– There has to be a feeling, otherwise nothing good will happen. But there has to be a certain control and discipline in how to use the racket, Jalonen says and reminds us to respect the opponent.
According to Jalonen, the situations in the playoffs have been those where the players have pushed each other from one side to the other.
– For some, it has mainly started from the glove. He hasn’t given up at all, and his own actions have gone to waste. It does not meet the criteria of smart playing in any way, says Jalonen.
Jalonen reminds that players who are usually not exposed in similar cases have been guilty of fooling around.
– I believe that they are isolated events. When players think about things a bit, they will be able to play cleanly in the future.
Chairman of the players’ association Teemu Ramstedt can also see that the increased number of situations can also be a matter of chance.
– Of course, I’m always worried when there are unpleasant incidents. On the other hand, maybe it can be partly coincidental. However, there is no long-term trend to be seen in this, says Ramstedt.
“Nasty excesses”
Four of the cases leading to disciplinary action have been seen in the playoffs. Both Ramstedt and Urheilu’s expert Top Nättinen remind you that the feeling is often stronger in the playoffs. Then also battle pairs are formed more naturally, when the same chains play against each other.
– In the playoffs, there is usually more audience and emotion on average. It is also reflected on the field, says Ramstedt.
– Of course, I would hope that we could always play as honest and fair a game as possible. That’s basically what the players are trying to do. I don’t think they mean to hurt anyone.
Nättinen considers the situations unfortunate. He also emphasizes that the players certainly do not intentionally hit others with the intention of harming them.
– However, transverse ones should never hit the face or neck. They are really dangerous. The player who gives the cross stick is fully responsible for what he does with his stick.
Jalonen can’t believe that targeting the head with crosswords would spread more widely. He believes that lessons can be learned from situations.
– If you have to use a cross stick in front of the goal, as sometimes you have to play bluntly, then you have to aim the stick clearly lower. Now there were nasty excesses. Let’s hope they stay that way this season.
What is punished?
Nättinen is worried about the polarization of the discussion. He has come across views that transverse clubs should be completely removed from the sport.
The expert emphasizes that a transverse club to the head is always a place for ice. For example, Ilari Melarti’s cross stick as soon as the buzzer sounds and Henri Ikonen’s action after the whistle must be taken away every time. Even in goal-scoring situations, a cross should always be a penalty.
According to Nättinen, the crossbar should be able to be used in game situations and, for example, in struggles in front of the goal or corner twists.
– If you want to go to zero tolerance with racket interference, you wouldn’t play with five against five at all. Of course, such a zero tolerance could be that it is forbidden for boys to play the whistle and it is always cool, Nättinen reflects.
Last summer, there was a discussion about the referee line in the SM league among sports managers and coaches. Ramstedt emphasizes that the players must be included in such discussions.