Dunedin Thunder coach Janos Kaszala has been stood down for one game after an incident at the Dunedin Ice Stadium last weekend.
Kaszala's suspension was confirmed yesterday by Thunder co-ordinator Dave Dunlop.
The coach put his clipboard on the ice to stop play during the game against the Canterbury Red Devils on Sunday.
"The ruling is that any item from the bench that enters the ice surface during a game is deemed a match penalty," Dunlop said.
"Finnish import Joni Nukari had been injured and Janos just wanted to stop the game for player safety.
"He had been injured in the previous game and a stoppage had not been called by the referee."
Nukari had suffered a heavy hit to his back in a pre-season game and the coach wanted to protect his top goal scorer, Dunlop said.
The decision to stand Kaszala down for one game was made by New Zealand Ice Hockey's head referee, Peter Haxell.
The Dunedin Thunder plays a double header against the Botany Swarm in Auckland this weekend. Assistant coach Aaron Bryant will replace Kaszala on the bench for the first game.
