Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Gostisbehere and Nichushkin will miss quarter-finals

Press Release

 United States defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere and Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin have been suspended for one game each for separate incidents at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship.

The infraction involving Shayne Gostisbehere occurred at 16:50 of the first period in the New Year’s Eve game between the United States and Slovakia. Upon review of the situation, the IIHF Disciplinary Panel determined that the U.S. defenceman skated up behind Slovakia’s Matus Matis and forcefully drove his stick between Matis’s legs, striking him in the groin area. Matis fell to the ice, injured on the play, but he did return.

Gostisbehere was assessed a major penalty plus game misconduct under rule 537b. The Disciplinary Panel deemed the action to be reckless. For this the player has to be held accountable.

Based on the received verbal Referee Supervisor report, the written Referees’ report, the video material, and the abovementioned facts and after consultation amongst the Disciplinary Panel, it came to the conclusion that the action was not only dangerous to the safety of the opposing player but also unnecessary and avoidable.

Following a hearing with the player, the Disciplinary Panel’s unanimous decision was to hand out a one-game suspension.

The infraction involving Valeri Nichushkin occurred at 11:44 of the first period of the New Year’s Eve game between Russia and Canada.

The IIHF Disciplinary Panel’s review of the situation, which occurred behind the Canadian net in the corner, determined that Tyler Wotherspoon was controlling the puck as Nichushkin approached him from behind and delivered a hard check with his arms and shoulders directly to the back of his opponent.
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Once Nichushkin made contact, his arms carried forward and up onto the head and neck area, the force driving Wotherspoon’s head into the boards and glass. Nichushkin was assessed a major penalty plus game misconduct under Rule 523a. Wotherspoon suffered facial cuts but returned to the game.

The Disciplinary Panel deemed the action to be reckless. For this the player has to be held accountable.

Following a hearing with the player, the Disciplinary Panel’s unanimous decision was to hand out a one-game suspension.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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