Team Canada defenceman Braden Schneider has been suspended one game for violating the IIHF’s checking to the head and neck area rule.
Schneider was ejected from Saturday’s game against Germany midway through the first period when his hit on Jan-Luca Schumacher caught the German forward in the head. The Canadian was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit.
After review by the IIHF’s Disciplinary Panel on Sunday, it determined that Schneider’s actions were extremely dangerous since he slightly elevated his shoulder into Schumacher’s head, resulting in the German player’s head snapping backwards. The panel also concluded that Schneider could have easily avoided the check.
Schneider, a New York Rangers prospect, will miss Canada’s next game against Slovakia on Sunday, but will be eligible to return for the following game against Switzerland on Tuesday.
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