The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has issued a one-game suspension to Team Canada forward Justin Sourdif, for a violation of IIHF Playing Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head or Neck.
Sourdif will miss Canada’s upcoming preliminary round game against Austria on 28 December.
The incident in question occurred at 54:38 in the 3rd period of Canada’s opening game on 26 December against Czechia. 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.
The Disciplinary Panel determined that Sourdif shall be sanctioned with a one-game suspension. He will be eligible to return for Canada’s third preliminary round game on 29 December against Germany.
Sourdif will miss Canada’s upcoming preliminary round game against Austria on 28 December.
The incident in question occurred at 54:38 in the 3rd period of Canada’s opening game on 26 December against Czechia. 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.
The Disciplinary Panel determined that Sourdif shall be sanctioned with a one-game suspension. He will be eligible to return for Canada’s third preliminary round game on 29 December against Germany.