Photo credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
It had to be expected, the Olympic Games’ disciplinary committee has finally cracked down for the first time this tournament.
It’s a familiar name for some fans here who is on the receiving end of this first official sanction.
Insider Elliotte Friedman reports that Cristiano DiGiacinto has been suspended for one game.
The forward, a Hamilton native who represents Italy thanks to his dual citizenship, crossed the line.
The reason for the punishment is a direct hit to the head of defenseman Martin Fehervary during yesterday’s game.
Let’s be honest, this is exactly the kind of play the international federation wants to eliminate from hockey.
DiGiacinto is known for his physical style and intensity, but he clearly showed poor judgment on that sequence.
It’s a significant loss for the Italian squad, which will have to manage without him for the matchup against Finland.
This decision sends a fairly clear message to the other teams in the tournament.
Hits to the head will not be tolerated, regardless of the intensity or the stakes of the game.
As for Martin Fehervary, we can only hope there are no long-term consequences, as he is a key pillar for Slovakia.
It’s unfortunate to see a local player, living his Olympic dream with Italy, become the first to visit the suspension box.
But we can all agree that player safety must come before the spectacle.
The Italians will now have to prove they have enough depth to make up for the absence of their power forward.
It will be interesting to see whether the officiating standard remains this strict for the rest of the competition.
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First suspension handed down in men’s Olympic hockey after hit to Slovakian player’s head
Is a one-game suspension enough for a hit to the head?