Rash of head shots earn heavy suspensions for three WJC players

The NHL hasn’t been able to curb the number of concussions its players have dealt with despite making some sincere rule changes from this season to last, but it seems like the sport’s biggest hockey league isn’t the only group struggling with hits to the head.

Brutal, controversial checks seem to be stealing the show in all the wrong ways during the 2011 World Junior Championships this week. For that reason, the International Ice Hockey Federation recently announced that the following three players would face hefty suspensions in addition to the automatic one-game banishments: Slovakian skaters Martin Marincin, Peter Hrasko and Canadian forward Zack Kassian.

Marincin (three extra games) and Hrasko (two extra) earned those suspensions during last night’s contest vs. the US team while Kassian received one extra game for a hit during Canada’s game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Here are explanations for the suspensions via Dan Marouelli, the IIHF`s appointed Disciplinary Single Judge. First, let’s start with a snippet of what he said about Marincin:

In Marouelli’s opinion, this was a premeditated act as the puck had long left the vicinity of the play. Marincin took advantage of a defenceless and unsuspecting opponent and deliberately targeted the head and neck area, resulting in an injury to Zucker.

Now, here is why Marouelli decided to suspend Hrasko for two extra games.

Hrasko deliberately targeted the head of the American player, using his elbow and upper arm to deliver the blow and causing D’Amigo to be thrown violently into the boards. As a result, D’Amigo struck his head against the glass, sustaining an injury.

The additional suspension was a direct result of Hrasko’s targeting the head of his opponent on the play.

Finally, here is why Buffalo Sabres prospect Zack Kassian received one more game than the standard single game suspension.

Marouelli affirmed that the on-ice officials followed correct protocol by discussing the incident while Senkerik was being treated on ice by doctors. It was after this discussion that the referees decided to assess a five-minute major and match penalty.