LILLEHAMMER – Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov was suspended for the remainder of the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games for his checking to the head or neck infraction against Team USA forward Oliver Wahlstrom.

15 seconds into the second period of the preliminary-round game on Thursday Svechnikov delivered a shoulder check to the head of Wahlstrom, who was evacuated after medical treatment on the ice and brought to hospital with a head injury. Wahlstrom is sidelined for tonight’s semi-final game.

The ad hoc Disciplinary Panel concluded based on the video, the referee report and the referee supervisor report that Svechnikov delivered the hit to the head leaving his feet and being air-borne at the point of contact with his opponent. The Panel determined that Svechnikov had time to alter his approach to avoid violently checking Wahlstrom, that his actions endangered the safety of his opponent and that supplemental discipline is applicable.

Svechnikov got an automatic game suspension as a consequence of the match penalty and will be suspended for an additional game meaning that he won’t be allowed to play for the balance of the tournament.

The ad hoc Disciplinary Panel has jurisdiction over the matter for the duration of the tournament. An eventual longer suspension than two games would therefore be in the jurisdiction of the IIHF Disciplinary Board.