Michel Hradek suspended for dangerous cross check (Video)
The IIHF has handed down the first suspension of the World Junior Hockey Championship as they have suspended Czechia defender Michal Hradek for cross-checking Kent Johnson.
The IIHF issued the following statement on the play:
The suspension is due to a violation of IIHF Playing Rule 59 � Cross-Checking.
The incident occurred at 28:20 in the 2nd period of Czechia's opening game against Canada on 26 December.
While gliding towards Czech net, Hradek came up against Canadian forward Kent Johnson as he was moving towards the goalie crease on the left side of the net. Hradek initially pushes Johnson in the chest area away from the Czech goalie. After the initial push to Johnson, Hradek raises his stick with both hands and pushes the shaft of his stick into Johnson's neck area.
The Disciplinary Panel determined that Hradek, while holding his stick with both hands, forcefully pushed the shaft of his stick into the neck area of Johnson, his actions recklessly endangered the safety of the player, thereby violating IIHF Official Rule 59 (Cross-Checking). The Panel viewed the severity of his action in light of the dangerous point where the stick made contact to Johnson's neck area, and in light of the degree of force utilized.
The Disciplinary Panel determined that because the Hradek violated IIHF Official Playing Rule 59 with his actions again Johnson, he shall be sanctioned with a one game suspension.
Hradek will miss his team's next preliminary round game against Germany on 27 December.
The IIHF is known for a lack of leniency so this is likely not the last suspension of the tournament.
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