The disciplinary committee, via SHL, announced that Växjö player Karl Henriksson is suspended for two games for the act. The committee finds it established that Karl Henriksson is guilty of slashing. The offense should lead to a suspension.
The length of the suspension is determined to be a period deemed equivalent to two games. Key factors mentioned are 'injury risk' and 'slashing between the opponent's legs'. The incident occurred during Saturday's 1-7 blowout.
The hit is not particularly hard and despite the unfortunate hit, I don't perceive Berglund as being in particular pain.
Shortly after 1-4 went in, Färjestad's Jack Berglund started irritating at the faceoff, and soon Henriksson's stick flew up between the legs of the JVM hero. A five-minute penalty and a match penalty were soon assessed. Växjö center Karl Henriksson is suspended after a match penalty.
Färjestad's Jack Berglund got under the skin of Karl Henriksson. In his defense, Henriksson states that it was not intended to hit Berglund between the legs, and that it was not hard enough to pose an injury risk. Separately, the SM-liiga disciplinary delegation imposed a two-game suspension on Kasper Björkqvist late Wednesday evening.
Straight up into the clock. Henriksson gets irritated at Berglund who is there with the stick, and strikes, recklessly. Straight up into the balls.
Björkqvist, 28, was given a game penalty in Tuesday's HPK game for slashing. Björkqvist hit HPK's star forward Cameron Wright. The disciplinary delegation considers that Björkqvist's slashing has the force of a blow and, considering the hit to the hand, has very recklessly endangered the opponent.
Regarding the duration of the suspension, the disciplinary delegation states that Björkqvist's play is related to the game situation and defending the opponent. The disciplinary delegation states that in the situation, however, a careless axe-like and very powerful slash occurs, which is directed at a player without the puck. Ilves forward Kasper Björkqvist has only one regular season game left.
We line up for a faceoff in the center circle after a goal, Jack Berglund slashes me twice before the puck is dropped. I strike back but don't look at him when I do it so the stick hits unfortunately. My shaft hits his groin. It was not my intention. Just wanted to 'strike back'. There was no intention to hit where I hit, on the contrary. Wanted to hit on shin guards or similar. The hit is not particularly hard and despite the unfortunate hit, I don't perceive Berglund as being in particular pain, it is definitely no risk that he will be injured.
He will not be seen in Ilves's important JYP and Lukko games at the end of the week. Ilves ends the regular season next Tuesday against SaiPa. Björkqvist will be free from his suspension for this game.
Ilves is fifth in the series and a direct quarterfinal spot (top 4 position) is in its own hands. Ilves would secure a place in the top four by winning its remaining games in regular playing time.
I should obviously get a penalty but this should in my opinion not result in a suspension. An 'honest mistake' with fairly low risk of injury in a situation that happens every game and where I was not the one who initiated it all.