SOCHI – The IIHF Directorate Disciplinary Panel has issued a two-game suspension to Russian defenceman Sergei Stetsenko for a check from behind on Viktor Crus Rydberg during an exhibition game against Sweden.

The incident occurred during the game on Tuesday evening late in the second period. Setsenko came up against Rydberg as he played the puck along the boards and elbowed the Swedish forward from behind, causing his head to pitch forward and slam against the lip on the top of the boards directly in front of the Swedish player bench.

After being examined by doctors, Rydberg has since returned to the team, but it is unsure if he will be able to keep playing in the tournament.

The initial ruling on the ice was a boarding call and a 5 minute game misconduct. It was later determined by the ad-hoc Disciplinary Panel that Stetsenko purposely checked the player from behind with a blindside hit, and has suspended him for the first two games of the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.