USA/Canada in the World Junior Champs game last night....
VANCOUVER (CP) - American defenceman Jack Johnson will receive no further discipline from the International Ice Hockey Federation for elbowing Steve Downie in the head after Canada scored the winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 win over the U.S. at the world junior hockey championships.
Johnson, the third overall pick in this year's NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, blind-sided Downie with an elbow to the jaw after Canadian captain Kyle Chipchura scored the winner into an empty-net at 19:27 of the third period. Downie, who assisted on the goal, spent a few minutes laying on the ice while he was treated by the team trainer.
''It was kind of a dirty play, I suppose,'' Chipchura said. ''Downie is a big part of our team. He plays on the edge and I know Jack and I know he's a competitive guy. He's a nice guy and maybe it wasn't the best move.''
Johnson, who plays for the University of Michigan, received a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Only a match penalty imposes an automatic one-game suspension, so Johnson will be able to play in the U.S. quarter-final game Monday.
A IIHF spokesman said tournament chairman Frank Gonzalez watched tape of the hit following Saturday's game and there will be no further review of the incident.
Hockey Canada can ask the IIHF for a review but indicated late Saturday it would not pursue the issue.
Downie, who had two assists in the game, was being evaluated by doctors after Saturday's game, but Hockey Canada personnel said the first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers was not seriously injured.
VANCOUVER (CP) - American defenceman Jack Johnson will receive no further discipline from the International Ice Hockey Federation for elbowing Steve Downie in the head after Canada scored the winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 win over the U.S. at the world junior hockey championships.
Johnson, the third overall pick in this year's NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, blind-sided Downie with an elbow to the jaw after Canadian captain Kyle Chipchura scored the winner into an empty-net at 19:27 of the third period. Downie, who assisted on the goal, spent a few minutes laying on the ice while he was treated by the team trainer.
''It was kind of a dirty play, I suppose,'' Chipchura said. ''Downie is a big part of our team. He plays on the edge and I know Jack and I know he's a competitive guy. He's a nice guy and maybe it wasn't the best move.''
Johnson, who plays for the University of Michigan, received a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Only a match penalty imposes an automatic one-game suspension, so Johnson will be able to play in the U.S. quarter-final game Monday.
A IIHF spokesman said tournament chairman Frank Gonzalez watched tape of the hit following Saturday's game and there will be no further review of the incident.
Hockey Canada can ask the IIHF for a review but indicated late Saturday it would not pursue the issue.
Downie, who had two assists in the game, was being evaluated by doctors after Saturday's game, but Hockey Canada personnel said the first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers was not seriously injured.
Comment