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Elite League hand out stiff punishments

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The bmibaby Elite League have acted swiftly and decisively in respect of meting discipline on two players following recent incidents.

Andre Payette of the MobilX Newcastle Vipers received a Match Penalty for Fighting in the Vipers home game against the Cassidy Coventry Blaze. However, upon video review by Simon Kirkham, the penalty was changed to Checking to the Head with its tariff of a five-match suspension in addition to the original automatic match ban. Payette has also been notified that should he be charged with Checking to the Head again in the 2007-08 season, a further five-match suspension will be levied against him.

Also on Saturday Jim Shepherd, of the GMB Nottingham Panthers, was assessed a Match Penalty for Spearing to the Head in his teams game against the Coors Belfast Giants. Shepherd also received a five-match suspension in addition to the automatic match ban, and in accordance with the league tariff for offences to the head. But, with the severity of the incident, Shepherd has been notified that should he be charged with Spearing to the Head again in the 2007-08 season, a further eight-match suspension will be levied against him.