The 2026 IIHF World Championship Disciplinary Panel has issued a warning to Czechia’s Jan Scotka stemming from an incident involving cross-checking.
The incident occurred at 13:00 of the first period during Game #20 between Sweden and Czechia on 18 May 2026 and was in violation of IIHF Official Playing Rule 59 (Cross-Checking).
Video shows that Scotka approaches a post-goal altercation involving Swedish players and uses his stick in an upward motion, making contact with the head area of Sweden’s #23. The Panel determined that while the Player’s intention was to step up for his teammate and engage physically with the Swedish player, the resulting contact to the head was careless and constituted a violation of Official Playing Rule 59.
The Panel acknowledged the Player’s statement that he did not intend to cross-check or injure his opponent, but rather sought to support his teammate during an emotional moment in the game. The Panel also considered the Player’s immediate recognition that the action could have dangerous consequences.
After reviewing all available video footage, the information on record, and the statements provided during the Formal Hearing, the Panel concluded that although the Player violated Official Playing Rule 59 (Cross-Checking), the play was careless rather than reckless or intentional in nature.
As a result, the Disciplinary Panel has determined that the player will be issued a warning.
The incident occurred at 13:00 of the first period during Game #20 between Sweden and Czechia on 18 May 2026 and was in violation of IIHF Official Playing Rule 59 (Cross-Checking).
Video shows that Scotka approaches a post-goal altercation involving Swedish players and uses his stick in an upward motion, making contact with the head area of Sweden’s #23. The Panel determined that while the Player’s intention was to step up for his teammate and engage physically with the Swedish player, the resulting contact to the head was careless and constituted a violation of Official Playing Rule 59.
The Panel acknowledged the Player’s statement that he did not intend to cross-check or injure his opponent, but rather sought to support his teammate during an emotional moment in the game. The Panel also considered the Player’s immediate recognition that the action could have dangerous consequences.
After reviewing all available video footage, the information on record, and the statements provided during the Formal Hearing, the Panel concluded that although the Player violated Official Playing Rule 59 (Cross-Checking), the play was careless rather than reckless or intentional in nature.
As a result, the Disciplinary Panel has determined that the player will be issued a warning.