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Hagelberg suspended for three games

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Manchester Phoenix officials have received confirmation from the EIHA that Jaakko Hagelberg will serve a total of a three match suspension following his ejection from last Thursdays' game against the Milton Keynes Lightning.

Hagelberg was dismissed in the 30th minute of the EPL Cup first leg semi-final game for Accidental High Sticks, a transgression that under the current rules is levied with an automatic Match penalty and suspension.

Under the toting up system of penalty points incurred for major penalties, having passed ten penalty points, Hagelberg will also serve a further two-game suspension.

This means that the Finn misses the following games:

• Sunday Feb 21st at home vs Basingstoke in the League
• Wednesday Feb 24th away vs Milton Keynes in the EPL Cup semi-final second leg
• Saturday Feb 27th away vs Milton Keynes in the League

Hagelberg will therefore make his return to to the Phoenix team on Sunday Feb 28th at home vs Slough.

Phoenix GM Andy Costigan noted, "with the tariff for Accidental High Sticks being so high, it becomes even more important that players are in full control of their sticks at all times. This is not the first suspension of this type, we sincerely hope it's the last. The referees are in a no-win situation. As was clearly evident last Thursday, there was no intent and the injury sustained by the Lightning player was not that bad, but under the current rules referee Wardell, or indeed any other referee, has no option than to eject the player."