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Abdelkader suspended for first three games of 2015 Worlds for high hit on Sobotka

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

Team USA/Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader has been suspended three games for the high check he gave Vladimir Sobotka in a World Championship game on May 22.

From the IIHF:

Supported by the video and the report of the championship’s disciplinary panel, the Deciding Panel of the IIHF Disciplinary Board concluded that after Sobotka had shot the puck, Abdelkader did not alter his path nor attempt to play the puck but followed through with what appeared to be a lunge, leaving the ice with his feet and delivering a very forceful check striking Sobotka in the head and neck area with his shoulder. Sobotka immediately fell to the ice. He was escorted from the ice by his team’s medical staff and did not return for the remainder of the game but did return to play in the two following games.

The website says Abdelkader “will be suspended for the first three games of the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship,” though it’s no guarantee he’ll even be playing in that tournament. If he doesn’t participate, apparently the suspension would not carry over to 2016.

Here’s video of the incident: