Ben Blood received criticism from the SM League’s discipline, but not a suspension.
Ben Blood was the hero of the people of Lahti on Thursday. Mika Kylmäniemi/AOP
The Pelicans Ben Blood will not be suspended for the events of Thursday’s Ilves–Pelicans match. The disciplinary of the SM League announced its decision late on Friday.
The situation under disciplinary review happened in the penultimate minute of Thursday’s match. According to the situation room report, Blood tackled the Ilves captain Eemeli Finland knee to the back.
Blood was not whistled for a penalty for the incidents in front of the goal. However, the head video referee considered that the attacker should be given a match penalty or suspension for the knee tackle.
Disciplinary ruled that Blood will not be suspended.
– The disciplinary delegation states that in Blood’s situation, there is no such reckless endangerment of the opponent, for which a ban should be imposed, the press release said.
Discipline took into account that Blood and Suomi had fallen to the surface of the ice in the struggle for the goal. The Pelicans forward was on top of Finland, who was lying on his stomach, but got up and continued to press Finland into the ice.
The referee described the situation as a typical struggle for goal. The playoffs also include a tough physical struggle.
– In the situation described above, Blood’s one knee is at Finland’s playing pants and the other is at his back. The disciplinary delegation considers that Blood’s act is in itself an unsportsmanlike so-called 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.
“Dirty”
Blood lay over Finland. Mika Kylmäniemi/AOP
The Pelicans forward had time to comment on his actions earlier on Twitter.
– Yes, that was unnecessary and a bit dirty. No, it’s not worth a ban. We have a good streak going. Let the boys play, Blood communicated his view of the situation, which did not condemn the ice, he wrote.
Blood was disciplined for the second time in the Ilves series. In the second meeting between the teams, the Pelicans pack tackled Finland in the first round with a draw worthy of elimination. At that time, too, no ban was imposed.
On Thursday, Blood became the hero of the Pelicans by scoring two goals. Pelicans won 3–2 and took a 2–1 lead in the semi-final series.
The fourth match will be played in Tampere on Saturday.