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Vancouver Canucks forward Alexander Edler has been suspended for the remainder of the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Championship for his knee-on-knee hit of Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, the IIHF announced Friday.
Edler was playing for Team Sweden in the quarterfinal round of the tournament against Team Canada on Thursday. Staal is the captain for Canada. The incident occurred in the first period while Staal was attempting to make a play. Following the collision, Staal fell to the ice in agony and was clearly in a great deal of pain. He required the aide of teammates to leave the ice.
Edler was given a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct.
The status of Staal is still unknown.
He is expected to return to Raleigh on Friday night and to undergo an MRI the following morning, according to Aaron Ward of TSN. At that time, the Hurricanes medical staff is expected to provide a diagnosis.
Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford stated the incident hasn't altered his opinion of players competing in international events and that he still supports them doing so.
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