Tidigare NHL-stjärna avstängd efter att ha slagit domaren i huvudet med vattenflaska
En domare slogs av en vattenflaska efter att Svenska Hockeyligans målvakt Kasimir Kaskisuo tappade kallt under en 3-2-förlust.
Den före detta NHL-stjärnan var rasande efter att deras 2-0-ledning utplånades av svenska HV71, och tog sina frustrationer ut på en funktionär när han lanserade sin vattenflaska. Flaskan träffade domaren mot bakhuvudet och Kaskisuo fick direkt ett matchstraff och en utvisning från resten av matchen.
Efter den häpnadsväckande incidenten fick Kaskisuo en avstängning på fem matcher och fick böta 23 750 svenska kronor – motsvarande 1 900 pund. Kaskisuo bad snabbt om ursäkt efter att ha lugnat ner sig och känner sig “generad” över händelserna som inträffade i torsdags
Kaskisuo was a former goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Nashville Predators in the NHL, but now plays his trade as a back-up net minder over in Sweden. The 29-year-old was put in goal as his side Leksands IF have already secured a play-off spot, with starting goaltender Mantas Armalis handed a rest.
But he may very well have made his last appearance of the season, as his five-game ban will see him miss their three final regular season games, and also the first two play-off clashes. Kaskisuo has apologised for his moment of madness, but admitted that some bad calls led to his outburst.
“After an obvious too many men on the ice and/or offside in the same situation, I let in a poor goal in an important loss, and my emotions and frustration took over,” Kaskisuo said. “As an athlete on the highest level, I should handle these things in another way.
“In this case I didn’t, and for that I’m very sorry and feel embarrassed about it. I apologise to the referee, my team-mates, the organisation, and the fans.”
The SHL issued a statement after handing Kaskisuo a suspension, which read: “All forms of improper body contact against a referee or other official must be punished with game misconduct on the ice (Rule 40.1) and reported to the disciplinary committee. The footage shows that Kasimir Kaskisuo picks up his water bottle after the final whistle and throws it at the referee, who is some distance away with his back to Kaskisuo.
“The bottle hits the referee’s head. Kaskisuo shall be punished for physical abuse of officials and shall lead to a suspension in accordance with the decision above. Kaskisuo must also pay a fine in the amount stated in the decision.”
Kaskisuo was undrafted in the NHL, and made his debut for the Maple Leafs back in 2019. He conceded six goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins in his opening game, and was later used sparingly by the Predators before being released.
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