It was at the end of the second period of the World Cup quarter-final between Sweden and Latvia that it became irritated.
After a whistle, there was irritation between the teams’ players. When Sweden’s Pär Lindholm was going to go past the situation, he was pushed by an opponent whereupon Martins Dzierkals went forward and pushed the handle of his club into the middle fence on Lindholm.
Letten then moved his club upwards whereupon it hit Lindholm in the face.
At first, Martins Dzierkals appeared to get away with a two-minute suspension, but after video review of the situation, the verdict was changed to a five-minute suspension and match penalty.
– It’s ugly. It feels like he does it a little unconsciously. But you have to keep track of your own stick and that’s a clear five, says NHL star Hampus Lindholm in SVT’s studio.
After the second period, the score was 1-1. Dans Locmelis gave Latvia the lead in the first period. Timothy Liljegren equalized for Sweden in the second.
The match is in progress.
