Leo Loof single play suspension Sweden World Juniors
Sweden’s defender Leo Loof has been suspended for a match suspension for his high hit on the head of Slovakia’s defender Simon Nemec in the third period on Monday night, it was announced on Wednesday.
A match suspension for SWE D Leo Loof for his high hit to the head of SVK D Simon Nemec. Loof will miss tonight’s match against USA if it is played. https://t.co/moenhXae5a
– Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 29, 2021
He will miss Wednesday’s match against Team USA if the Americans give back the necessary amount of negative tests and the match continues.
Sweden continued to win Monday’s matchup 3-0 with Loof noting zero points during 11:56 ice time.
The IIHF issued the following statement to Loof’s husband on Wednesday:
Slovakian defender Simon Nemec had the puck as he rode along the boards on the right side towards the Swedish defense zone. When Nemec approached the blue line, Loof went towards Nemec from the other side of the ice. When Loof arrived at Nemec, he made direct frontal contact with Nemec and raised his arms to his head. When Loof followed the hit, Nemec had to hit the boards and then fall to the ice.
The disciplinary panel determined that – because Loof when he reached Nemec to make contact near the boards, he directed his arms in an upward movement towards the head and / or neck area of Nemec, and due to the force with which the contact was made – that Loof exposed Nemec to negligent danger and violated the IIHF’s official game rule 48 (illegal head or neck check) and rule 41 (boarding). Loof showed no regard for the puck when he delivered his check, and by separating his arms from his body when he did, he gained even more power when he hit Nemec.
Loof, 19, has been in 26 games so far this season for Ilves Tampere from the Swedish Championship and has three goals and three assists. He was selected in the third round (No. 88 overall) by St. Louis Blues in the 2020 NHL draft.
Sweden enters play on Wednesday first in group B on 2-0-0-0.