photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has issued a one-game suspension to Latvian defenceman Ralfs Freibergs.
Freibergs will miss his team’s next game against Russia on 18 May.
The suspension comes as a result of a violation of IIHF Rule No. 122-Charging, which occurred during Latvia’s game against Czech Republic on 16 May.
The incident in question occurred at 58:28 in the 3rd period. Latvian forward Lauris Darzins crosses the blueline and enters the Czech defensive zone on the left side. Czech defenceman Radko Gudas steers Darzins to the boards and delivers a bodycheck. After the check, as Darzins falls to the ice, Gudas’ right skate gets caught between Darzins’ legs as he tries to clear the puck from his defensive zone. During this action he loses his balance and falls forward on his knees.
At the same time Freibergs glides (starting from red line) towards the two players as they are involved in the battle for the puck. After crossing the blue line, Freibergs tries to push the puck with one hand on his stick. At the same time Freibergs prepares to hit Gudas. As Freibergs delivers the check, his feet leave the ice and he partly hits his opponent’s head. Gudas, as a result of the impact, falls back and hits the ice with his head. After a few seconds on the ice he gets up and skates back to his bench.
Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that because Freibergs skated towards Gudas and checked him with unnecessary force resulting in Gudas falling backwards to the ice and hitting his head hard on the ice, Freibergs recklessly endangered Gudas, creating a very serious risk of injury to Gudas and violating IIHF Official Rule 122(Charging).
The Disciplinary Panel determined that because Freibergs violated Official Playing Rule 122 when checking Gudas, he shall be sanctioned with a one-game suspension.
Freibergs is eligible to return for Latvia’s game against Sweden on 20 May.
Freibergs will miss his team’s next game against Russia on 18 May.
The suspension comes as a result of a violation of IIHF Rule No. 122-Charging, which occurred during Latvia’s game against Czech Republic on 16 May.
The incident in question occurred at 58:28 in the 3rd period. Latvian forward Lauris Darzins crosses the blueline and enters the Czech defensive zone on the left side. Czech defenceman Radko Gudas steers Darzins to the boards and delivers a bodycheck. After the check, as Darzins falls to the ice, Gudas’ right skate gets caught between Darzins’ legs as he tries to clear the puck from his defensive zone. During this action he loses his balance and falls forward on his knees.
At the same time Freibergs glides (starting from red line) towards the two players as they are involved in the battle for the puck. After crossing the blue line, Freibergs tries to push the puck with one hand on his stick. At the same time Freibergs prepares to hit Gudas. As Freibergs delivers the check, his feet leave the ice and he partly hits his opponent’s head. Gudas, as a result of the impact, falls back and hits the ice with his head. After a few seconds on the ice he gets up and skates back to his bench.
Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that because Freibergs skated towards Gudas and checked him with unnecessary force resulting in Gudas falling backwards to the ice and hitting his head hard on the ice, Freibergs recklessly endangered Gudas, creating a very serious risk of injury to Gudas and violating IIHF Official Rule 122(Charging).
The Disciplinary Panel determined that because Freibergs violated Official Playing Rule 122 when checking Gudas, he shall be sanctioned with a one-game suspension.
Freibergs is eligible to return for Latvia’s game against Sweden on 20 May.