Russia's Rtishev handed 1-game ban for headbutt
Russian forward Nikita Rtishchev has been suspended for one game at the World Junior Championship after headbutting United States forward Oliver Wahlstrom during Sunday's contest, the IIHF announced Monday.
Due to the ban, Rtischev will not be available for Russia's final preliminary contest against Germany on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old winger delivered the helmet-to-helmet blow after he and Wahlstrom engaged in a scrum after the whistle. Rtischev was not penalized at the time.
🇷🇺 Nikita Rtishev headbutts 🇺🇸 Oliver Wahlstrom.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/v67ytCfh5w
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) December 29, 2019
Rtischev has tallied one goal through three tournament games. His ban marks the second suspension of the 2019 world juniors after Canada's Joe Veleno was also handed one game for headbutting.
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