Oliver Lauridsen has been suspended for eight games after a head hit in a Finnish hockey league match. The incident occurred during a game between his club TPS and Ässät last weekend, where Lauridsen delivered a hit on Petteri Riihinen, who fell to the ice. The disciplinary board stated that it had been possible to avoid hitting the opponent's head.
Riihinen reportedly accepted Lauridsen's apology and is doing well. The suspension will carry over into next season if Lauridsen remains in the Finnish league. The hit has sparked political debate in Finland, with politician and lawyer Otto Meri reportedly calling for a conditional prison sentence, describing it as potentially constituting gross assault under criminal law.
It had been possible to avoid hitting the opponent's head.
Lauridsen, a former SM champion with Frölunda and Danish national team player, has reflected on the incident, stating it was not intentional and emphasizing Riihinen's recovery.
describing it as potentially constituting gross assault under criminal law.
It was not intentional and emphasizing Riihinen's recovery.