HELSINKI – The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has suspended Canada’s defenceman Marc Methot for one game following his reckless and dangerous boarding on Belarusian forward Yevgeni Kovyrshin.

The incident occurred with seven seconds left to play in the third period of Canada’s last preliminary-round game against Belarus on Tuesday.

In a situation with several players of both teams battling for the puck at the end boards of the Canadian defensive zone, Methot pushed Kovyrshin into the boards twice. The second time Kovyrshin was off balance in a forward-leaning position and his head hit the boards violently after Methot’s shove.

Methot was assessed a five-minute major plus an automatic game misconduct penalty for boarding.

Upon review of the incident, based on video review and statements from the involved parties, Methot received a one-game suspension and he will thus sit out Canada’s quarter-final game against Slovakia on Thursday. He will be eligible to join the line-up of an eventual semi-final game if Canada advances.

With this, the Disciplinary Panel underscores the mandate handed to it by the IIHF to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of players and the integrity of the game.