The IIHF has suspended Team Canada forward Zack Kassian one additional game for his match penalty assessed in Tuesday's 7-2 clobbering of the Czech Republic. With the infraction earning an automatic one-game penalty, the supplemental discipline extends Kassian's absence through the rest of the preliminary round. Along the way, the 6'3 bruising scorer will miss Canada's games against Norway (Wednesday) and Sweden (Friday).
As previously mentioned, IIHF rules do not forgive high hits, especially those from the blindside. Debate continues over where the primary contact was made, but regardless the ruling implies that there was a hit to the head and neck area.
There's a new poll to the right that that I'd like folks to vote on. It's pretty simple.
If there is anyone who has mixed emotions about 2010 ending, it's Zack Kassian. It's hard to enjoy a Memorial Cup win, your first NHL contract, and Team Canada achievement amidst a 20-game OHL suspension, an assault arrest, and poor World Junior pub. Either way, I know a gaggle of Sabres fans ready for him to don a blue and gold sweater.
