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Video: Abdelkader tossed at Worlds, could face second suspension

Justin Abdelkader, Reto Berra

Switzerland goaltender Reto Berra makes a save in front of USA forward Justin Abdelkader during the Group B preliminary round match between Switzerland and USA at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, May 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

AP

Justin Abdelkader could be back in front of the IIHF disciplinary committee in the near future.

The Team USA captain was tossed from Thursday’s quarterfinal tilt against the Czech Republic for charging Vladimir Sobotka early in the second period:

This is Abdelkader’s second major infraction of the tournament. During round-robin play, the Red Wings forward was given a one-game suspension for kneeing Kazakhstan forward Konstantin Pushkaryov, with the disciplinary committee chastising Abdelkader for making “no attempt to play the puck, further widening his stance and initiating knee-to-knee contact with Pushkaryov when the two players met.”

Abdelkader, 26, is carving himself a reputation as a dangerous player. In addition to the IIHF sanctions, he’s also been hit with a suspension from the NHL -- during last year’s opening playoff round, he was given a two-game ban for charging then-Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman.