TPS forward Kasper Pikkarainen has received a one-game suspension for cross-checking Ilves’ Jaakko Lantta in their game on 20 October. The incident occurred at 23:58 of the second period, and no penalty was called during the match.
Liiga’s disciplinary delegation said both players were away from the puck near the Ilves goal. After the Ilves goalie stopped and covered the puck, Pikkarainen swung his stick forcefully at the goalie. Lantta then turned towards Pikkarainen, who struck him with the shaft of his stick between his hands, making contact with Lantta’s face.
The delegation ruled that the action met the definition of cross-checking and recklessly endangered Lantta. It said the force of the cross-check, the point of contact and the fact that the incident occurred outside the play warranted a suspension, assessed at one game. Pikkarainen will serve it in TPS’s next Liiga regular-season game. The suspension remains in effect during any appeal unless the appeals body orders otherwise.