Almond suspended

Cody Almond will have to serve a one-game suspension at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images

Swiss to sit out game at 2018 Worlds

Swiss men’s national team forward Cody Almond has been suspended for one game following his check to the head in the qualification playoff game against Germany.

The incident happened already after five seconds of play. Following a face-off Germany’s Christian Ehrhoff got the puck. Carrying it along the boards, Cody Almond attempted to check him. The Disciplinary Panel determined that while Ehrhoff was lowering his head, Almond stretched his elbow out and hit his opponent in the head and neck area.

The Panel determined that Almond had enough time to make a clean hit but instead extended his elbow at the last second before making contact and violating Official Playing Rule 124 (Checking to the Head or Neck). He could have easily kept his elbow tucked in and delivered a clean hit. The Disciplinary Panel judges the player’s action as unnecessary and dangerous, recklessly endangering the health of his opponent.

Ehrhoff had to be helped off the ice but returned in the second period. Almond was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct.

Almond shall be sanctioned with a one-game suspension being the game Switzerland vs. Austria of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on 5th May.

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