Officials Reviewing Knock-Out Hit Against Panthers Player During Sochi Game
SOCHI, RUSSIA (AP) — A hit that knocked Slovakia forward Tomas Kopecky out of an Olympic hockey game will be reviewed for possible discipline.
Slovenia defenseman Sabahudin Kovacevic landed his left elbow on Kopecky's head in the first period Saturday. Kopecky didn't return in a game the Slovenes went on to win 3-1.
The hit is scheduled to be reviewed Sunday. It might lead to Kovacevic being suspended for Sunday's game against the U.S.
Kopecky was standing to the left of the opposing team's net, where he was cleared out of the way with an aggressive move that wasn't penalized by the on-ice officials.
The two-time Olympian was evaluated on the bench before going toward the dressing room. Kopecky did not return to the ice or his bench in the second or third periods after he had four shifts in the first.
Slovakian coach Vladimir Vujtek said he didn't know yet if Kopecky would play Sunday against Russia.
Kopecky has 12 points in 49 games in his third season with the Florida Panthers. He has also played for Detroit and Chicago in parts of nine NHL seasons, scoring 66 goals and making 100 assists.
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