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Here are some quick hit updates for your New Year's Day:
* Flyers defense prospect Shayne Gostisbehere has been suspended for Team USA's World Junior Championship medal round quarterfinal game against the Czech Republic. The IIHF announced the suspension on its official Web site earlier today.
The suspension came about as a result of an incident at 16:50 of the first period in Team USA's victory over Slovakia yesterday. On the play, Gostisbehere skated up behind Matus Matis and fouled him between the legs with an upward spearing motion. Gostisbehere was assessed a slashing major and game misconduct. The IIHF subsequently decided to assess supplementary discipline.
Personally, I did not think the offense was even worthy of a major and game misconduct, much less an additional game's suspension. It was an undisciplined and unsportsmanlike infraction by Gostisbehere, but it was not an especially forceful foul. Matis stayed in the game, and was otherwise fine (that's why players wear cups).
Basically, Matis got under the defenseman's skin and drew a retaliation. It should have been a double-minor; four minutes in the box, feel shame and then get free. I could see justification for a major and automatic game misconduct (even if I disagree with it), but a suspension for a medal round game? No way.
The IIHF overreacted. No doubt Matis (to put it mildly) wasn't feeling too good after the play. But he wasn't lost to his team, wasn't seriously hurt. The very same infraction has happened in other games in the tournament but went unpenalized because the player who was fouled merely winced and kept skating.
Ultimately, "Ghost" has only himself to blame. But Gostisbehere, who has been one of Team USA's best defensemen in the tourney, has no doubt learned a costly lesson. His momentary fit of pique cost him the better part of two must-win games. It hurt his team and took him out of play.
GOSTISBEHERE INFRACTION
* Sporting festive "tuxedo jerseys" that were auctioned off for charity after the game, the Adirondack Phantoms rallied from a 3-0 deficit to skate away with a point from their New Year's Eve afternoon game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Second period goals by Jeff Dimmen, Sean Couturier and Brandon Manning knotted the score at 3-3.
Rookie goaltender Cal Heeter was excellent in relief of starter Scott Munroe. Heeter came in after the third Bridgeport goal and turned back all 17 shots he saw over the remainder of regulation and overtime.
Unfortunately, Heeter struggled in the shootout, giving up three goals on four attempts. The Phantoms were only able to muster one shootout goal (by Jason Akeson), and lost the game, 4-3. Nevertheless, Heeter was chosen as the first star of the game.
POSTGAME COMMENTARY: TERRY MURRAY AND BRANDON MANNING
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