Team Canada will be without defenseman Braden Schneider for Sunday’s game against Slovakia. The blueliner was ejected from Saturday’s 16-2 win over German for an illegal check to the head of forward Jan-Luca Schumacher. He has since been suspended one game by the IIHF.
Schneider came in high with his shoulder, connecting with Schumacher’s head early in Saturday’s match.
Schumacher was able to leave the ice on his own. He later returned to the game.
From the IIHF:
In an attempt to gain possession of an incoming puck from his teammate, German forward Jan-Luca Schumacher slowed down and decided to chip the puck outside of his defensive zone. At no time during this sequence did Schumacher establish control of the puck.
At the same time, Schneider skates towards Schumacher. Without any regard to the puck at any time and seeing his opponent in a vulnerable position, Schneider delivers a body check to the head of Schumacher. Schneider delivers the check slightly elevating his shoulder, hitting his opponent directly in the head.
Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that – while Schneider’s elbow was down and while there was a size difference between the two players – because Schneider slightly elevated his shoulder into Schumacher’s head resulting in the player’s head snapping back, Schneider actions were extremely dangerous, created a serious risk of injury to Schumacher and violated IIHF Official Rule 124 (Checking to the Head and Neck Area). Schneider could have easily avoided the check.
Schneider, a New York Rangers draft pick, will miss Canada’s Sunday game against Slovakia. He’ll be back in the lineup against Switzerland on Tuesday.
Referees for the game were Adam Bloski (#14) and Mark Pearce (#20). Linesmen were Guillaume Brunelle (#63) and Kelsey Mahoney (#68).
