Kassian Gets 2 Game Suspension At World Juniors

((HT: TSN))

Canada forward Zack Kassian has been suspended for two games after getting a match penalty on Tuesday against the Czech Republic in the World Junior Tournament.

Kassian gets an automatic one-game ban after being assessed the match penalty for a hit to the head and neck of Czech defenseman Petr Senkerik.

Here's that hit...
((HT: TSN/WJHC/Hockeystreams))


Tournament judge Dan Marouelli ((yes, that Dan Marouelli)) added the additional game suspension on Wednesday morning.

Kassian will miss Canada's games tonight against Norway and Friday against Sweden. He will be eligible to return for the medal round games on the weekend.

Zack Kassian Gets 20-Game Suspension

((HT: TV Cogeco))

In what, probably, is a precursor to the upcoming decision on Patrice Cormier's shot to the head of Mikael Tam in the QMJHL, Windsor Spitfires forward Zack Kassian got a 20-game suspension for this hit on the Barrie Colts Matt Kennedy back on the 14th.

Kassian left his feet, led with his forearm and laid Kennedy out.
No debate here...
Pretty classless...



"I don't remember getting hit. I couldn't tell you what happened," Matt Kennedy told the Toronto Star at the time. "I kind of blacked out."

Ontario Hockey League president David Branch issued a statement:
"While the League is persuaded that player Zack Kassian did not leave his feet prior to contact with the Barrie player, It is the position of the League that player Zack Kassian checked the unsuspecting Barrie player while such player was in a vulnerable position without having been in the possession of the puck. Players must understand that they shall be held accountable for their actions and we must continue to work to improve the level of respect players have towards opposing players."

And such...

Kassian is a first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, and he's lucky he didn't get what Cormier is going to get come Monday... the HQ thinks that'll be pretty severe...