Team Sweden defenseman Elias Salomonsson has been suspended one game for checking from behind.
The hit came just 25 seconds into their opening game against Latvia. Salomonsson shoved Latvia’s Emils Veckaktins into the boards. He was given a major penalty for boarding along with a game misconduct.
Salomonsson missed the most of that game, and now he’ll miss another. From the IIHF:
The Championship Disciplinary Panel determined that because the Player, while holding his stick with both hands, pushed the shaft of his stick into the back of LAT #10, his actions recklessly endangered the safety of LAT #10, the Player’s action constituted a violation of Official Playing Rule 43 (Checking from Behind).
Here’s Rule 43 from the IIHF Rulebook:
A check from behind is a check delivered to a vulnerable player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend themself from such a hit and contact is made on the back part of the body.
A player who hits an opponent from behind into the boards, the goal net, or on open ice in any manner (i.e., high-sticking, crosschecking, etc.) shall be penalized according to this rule.
When a player being bodychecked, intentionally turns their back towards an opponent and puts themself in a vulnerable position immediately before a bodycheck, to create a “checking from behind” situation, no penalty for “checking from behind” shall be assessed. However, other penalties may still be assessed.
Salomonsson will be sidelined for Thursday’s game against Germany; he is eligible to return to the lineup when they face Canada on Friday.
Sweden defeated Latvia 6-0. Referees for the game were Lukas Kohlmueller (Germany) and Troy Murray (Canada); linesmen were Oto Durmis (Slovakia) and Shane Gustafson (USA).
