Russian defensemen Dmitry Kalinin and Alexei Yemelin will both miss the country’s crunch game against the Czech Republic after receiving suspensions for misconduct in Friday’s 7-3 win over Sweden, the International Ice Hockey Federation said Saturday.
Russia picked up seven penalties in the match, including a five plus 20 minute penalty for ex-Buffalo Sabres defenseman Kalinin, who hit Swedish forward Johan Franzen in the face with the handle of his stick.
“Upon further review the Disciplinary Panel decided to add two additional games to the automatic one-game suspension for Kalinin’s match penalty,” the IIHF said in a statement on its website.
In another incident involving Franzen, Ak Bars Kazan player Yemelin exchanged words with the Swede and then struck him in the crotch with his stick, earning a two-minute penalty for roughing at the time.
“It was in fact a spear and in violation of the IIHF rules,” the federation’s statement said, confirming a one-match ban for Yemelin.
Yemelin will be suspended only for Russia's match against the Czech Republic on Sunday, while Kalinin will miss that game, Monday’s game against Italy and Russia’s quarterfinal match, to be announced.
Russia tops Group B as the only unbeaten team with three games remaining.
