Switzerland forward Phil Baltisberger leaves the ice on a stretcher while playing against Russia during second period preliminary round hockey action at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Toronto on December 28, 2014. Russian forward Anatoli Golyshev has been suspended one game for a blindside hit on Swiss defenceman Phil Baltisberger at the world junior hockey championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Republished December 29, 2014 - 2:33 PM
Original Publication Date December 29, 2014 - 9:05 AM
TORONTO - Russian forward Anatoli Golyshev has been suspended one game for a blindside hit on Swiss defenceman Phil Baltisberger at the world junior hockey championship.
Golyshev will miss Monday's game against Sweden.
The IIHF Disciplinary Panel ruled that Golyshev, in Sunday's 7-0 win over Switzerland, "recklessly endangered" his opponent which resulted in injury.
The incident occurred at 8:08 of the second period when Baltisberger, looking to his right for a pass from a teammate, was hit from the left by Golyshev. The blindside hit felled Baltisberger, who was stretchered off the ice after a lengthy delay.
Golyshev was given a major penalty and game misconduct.
The Disciplinary Panel said Baltisberger was not eligible to be hit as he did not have the puck.
"Although the video evidence is inconclusive as to whether contact to the head was made, Golyshev took advantage of an unsuspecting opponent, who was in a vulnerable position with no opportunity to defend himself," the IIHF said.
Baltisberger, who plays for the OHL's Guelph Storm, was taken to hospital.
An IIHF official said Monday that Baltisberger doesn't have any concussion symptoms or broken bones but still feels neck pain. He was listed as day-to-day.
Switzerland's next game is Tuesday against Denmark.
Slovak defenceman Erik Cernak, meanwhile, missed Monday's game against the U.S. for an illegal elbow to the head and neck of Finland's Mikko Rantanen.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014