American defenseman suspended one game

The United States will be without defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere for its quarterfinal game against the Czech Republic on Wednesday (4 a.m. ET, NHLN-US, TSN).

On Tuesday, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced that Gostisbehere was suspended one game for the slashing major and game misconduct he was assessed in the final preliminary round game against Slovakia on Monday, a 9-3 victory that delivered the Americans into the medal round.

Gostisbehere was whistled for a foul on Slovakia's Matus Matis behind the play at the 16:50 mark of the first period. Gostisbehere was assessed a major penalty plus the game misconduct under rule 537b.

It its review Tuesday, the IIHF Disciplinary Panel determined that Gostisbehere skated up behind Matis and forcefully drove his stick between the legs of the Slovakian forward, striking him in the groin area. Matis was injured on the play, but did return. The panel deemed the action by Gostisbehere to be both reckless and avoidable.

Gostisbehere, who has a goal, an assist and a plus-3 rating in four games, is eligible to return for the semifinal game Thursday if the Americans can defeat the Czech Republic, the second-place qualifier from Group A.