Team USA captain Luke Kunin was ejected from his club’s New Years Eve match against Team Canada for a late hit on Philippe Myers.
Myers did not return to the game. He’s doubtful for the remainder of the tournament, having suffered a concussion on the hit.
Kunin 5 min major & game misconduct on hit on Myers pic.twitter.com/XSwnLhqMHk
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) December 31, 2016
Kunin was given a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct by referees Anssi Salonen and Daniel Stricker.
From the IIHF Rulebook:
Rule 150 – Interference: A player who obstructs or prevents an opponent without possession of the puck from skating, receiving a pass, or moving about the ice freely.
vii. A player who injures or recklessly endangers an opponent by interference will be assessed either a major penalty and automatic gamemisconduct penalty or a match penalty
Here’s another look at the hit:
Myers likely won’t be back for the duration of this year’s World Juniors.
No word from the IIHF on whether Kunin will also miss time.
