Sweden's Pettersson suspended for gold-medal game

Sweden forward Jesper Pettersson has been suspended by the IIHF Disciplinary Panel for the gold-medal game of the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship on Sunday against Finland (1 p.m ET, NHLN-US).

Pettersson was suspended for leaving the penalty box to engage in an altercation with a Russian player during Sweden’s 2-1 win against Russia in the semifinals on Saturday.

Pettersson had been in the penalty box after being whistled for slashing with 19 seconds left in the game. When the final buzzer sounded, Pettersson left the penalty box and entered a scrum along the wall. Pettersson grabbed Russia’s Andrei Mironov and the pair began exchanging punches.

The Disciplinary Panel ruled that Pettersson instigated the altercation with Mironov by jumping him from behind. The Panel also ruled that it was Pettersson’s responsibility at the end of the game not to become involved with any opposition players and that the altercation with Mironov was completely avoidable.

Pettersson has a plus-6 rating and eight shots on goal in six tournament games.

Follow Adam Kimelman on Twitter: @NHLAdamK