Suspensions flying at World Juniors

Zack Kassian's two-game suspension for his hit on Slovakia's Petr Senkerik wasn't the only penalty dished out by the IIHF today.

A pair of Slovakia players will spend time watching, rather than playing, following their actions during Tuesday's game against the U.S. Peter Hrasko will sit for three games, and Martin Marincin was banned for four.

Hrasko was assessed a match penalty for a hit to the head and neck area of U.S. forward Jerry D'Amigo 6:42 into the game. According to the IIHF release: " Hrasko deliberately targeted the head of the American player, using his elbow and upper arm to deliver the blow and causing D’Amigo to be thrown violently into the boards. As a result, D’Amigo struck his head against the glass, sustaining an injury."

The match penalty carries with it an automatic one-game suspension. Today, IIHF head disciplinarian Dan Marouelli tacked on two extra games.

Midway through the third period, Martin Marincin received a match penalty for his hit on U.S. forward Jason Zucker, and his one-game suspension had three games tacked on. Marouelli ruled Marincin's hit on Zucker, "was a premeditated act as the puck had long left the vicinity of the play. Marincin took advantage of a defenseless and unsuspecting opponent and deliberately targeted the head and neck area, resulting in an injury to Zucker."

While D'Amigo was able to continue Tuesday, Zucker was knocked out of the game and his status for Thursday's game against Germany is unknown.

Back to top