The IIHF has suspended Team Canada forward Justin Sourdif one game for an illegal check to the head or neck.


The hit came with 5:22 remaining in the third period of Canada’s tournament-opening game against Czechia.  Sourdif was given a minor penalty on the play for interference.

From the IIHF:

Czechia defender Jiri Tchacek was in the Czech defensive zone with the puck moving in the direction towards the board on the right side of the net. Immediately after Tichacek passed the puck along the boards behind the Czech net Sourdif, while gliding towards Tichacek, made contact with Tichacek and directed his left shoulder into the head area of Tichacek. After the hit, Tichacek fell to the ice.

The Disciplinary Panel determined that because Sourdif directed his left shoulder into the head of Tichacek when Tichacek was unable to anticipate impending contact, and because Sourdif’s actions resulted in a forceful contact with Tichacek’s head or neck area, Sourdif recklessly endangered Tichacek, and violated IIHF Official Playing Rule #48 – Illegal Check to the Head or Neck. The Disciplinary panel is of the opinion that the check was delivered late, meaning Sourdif initiated contact well after Tchacek released the puck from his possession and therefore had sufficient time to alter his trajectory beforehand.

Sourdif will miss Canada’s game against Austria on December 28.  He’s eligible to return on Wednesday to face Germany.

 

Canada won the game 6-3.  Referees were Riku Brander and Marc Iwert; linesmen were Nick Briganti and Roman Slavikovskii.