The discipline of the SM League considered that the situation between Blood and Ilves Eemeli Suomen belonged to the physical and mental struggle that takes place in the playoffs.
Pelicans defenseman Ben Blood don’t get suspended on Thursday Ilves Eemeli to Finland from the tackle he was targeting. The discipline of the SM League announced its decision on Friday evening.
In the final moments of the match, Blood tackled Finland, who was on the ice, with a knee to the back. The situation did not result in a penalty in the match, but it progressed to disciplinary proceedings.
According to the disciplinary delegation, the situation was a typical fight for the goal, where the attacking player gets under the defending player.
– The match series of the playoffs games in particular includes a tough physical and mental struggle with the opponent. In some cases, these struggles also go into the gray area of the rule book and also outside of the actions permitted by the rules, reads the SC League’s disciplinary decision.
In this situation, Blood’s one knee is at Finland’s playing pants and the other is at the back.
– Blood’s act is in itself an unsportsmanlike so-called in the gray area of the rules. ratting. On the other hand, the delegation considers that the pressure on Finland’s back caused by Blood’s weight transfer is not very significant.
Blood commented on his tackle after the match on Twitter
– Yes, this game situation is unnecessary and a bit dirty. No, it’s not worth a ban. We have a good playoff run going. Now let the boys play, Blood declared.
Already earlier in the second match of the match series, Blood beat Finland. Blood received a shower command, 5+20 minutes, in the first period after punching Finland from behind in an endgame situation.
Blood survived this too without a suspension.
In addition to tackles, Blood also scored goals in Thursday’s match. The American player was responsible for his team’s first and last hit when the Pelicans beat Ilves 3–2 on the away field.
The Pelicans lead the semifinal series with a 2–1 win. The teams will meet next time in Tampere on Saturday in a match starting at 17:00. Four wins are required for a place in the finals.