HC Dynamo Pardubice will be without defenceman Jan Košťálek for two Extraliga games after he physically contacted a linesman in Friday’s game at HC Vítkovice Ridera. League disciplinary chief Radim Bičánek also fined him 10 per cent of his basic monthly salary. Košťálek’s previous punishments by the committee contributed to the length of the sanction. He will miss Sunday’s game against unbeaten HC Oceláři Třinec.
The incident came in the 50th minute, after a challenge involving Krzysztof Macias. Košťálek pushed linesman Pavel Blažek with both hands. Referee Tomáš Cabák noticed and sent the Pardubice defenceman off for the remainder of the game.
“We are obviously angry. Honza knows he shouldn’t have done it. Maybe he just wanted to pick up his stick, which was under the referee. But he went too far,” Dynamo assistant coach Václav Kočí said.
Dynamo forward Jiří Smejkal was also fined 10 per cent of his basic monthly salary. The league said his theatrical fall after grabbing his face could not be considered an unavoidable consequence of an opponent’s action. David Cienciala had received a two-minute penalty for high-sticking in the incident.