Controversy at Sweden’s JVM Premiere: Elias Salomonsson’s Match Penalty and Possible Suspension

Sweden’s JVM premiere against Latvia barely had time to start before the Junior crowns went to a match penalty.

Skellefteå AIK defender Elias Salomonsson tackled Emils Veckaktins against the rim and was sent off for boarding. After the referees video reviewed the situation, the 19-year-old went to a match penalty.

– It happened so easily, a lot of nerves and you are overexcited. It is an unnecessary expulsion, says SVT’s expert Jonas Andersson in the broadcast.

The Swede may risk suspension

The Latvian lay on the ice for a long time and at first appeared to have injured himself.

After a couple of minutes he was able to get to his feet and then continued playing shortly thereafter.

– It’s a terrible start for Sweden and for Salomonsson, says Jonas Andersson.

The match then? Sweden won it 6–0.

After the final whistle, Salomonsson himself was of few words when he told about his feelings after the situation.

– You may have been a bit overzealous, but you just have to move on. No more of that. Everyone was tagged, it was an unfortunate situation.

Magnus Hävelid, the national team captain, filled in:

– I just focus on the next shift. I mentioned to the players before the game that we have a referee who has refereed the Olympics and a referee who has not refereed the Olympics – they will be tagged at the start. It was the same last year and that’s my experience here. We’ll just play for the next change and accept things. I’ve only seen it on the jumbotron so I’m not going to say much more about it but accept the verdict there and then.

Elias Salomonsson received a match penalty in the JVM premiere.

Photo: HECTOR JUNELIND

The explanation behind the situation

What do you feel is happening?

– I go in to win the puck and happen to put the stick in his back, a bit unfortunate, says Salomonsson.

What goes through your head then and there?

– I don’t know, everything is possible. You can see that the club is in his back, but it went well with him. I didn’t think much then and there, he says and continues:

– You are happy that the others killed the box play.

Hävelid himself has spoken to his adept about what might happen now.

– When it does happen and the referee watches the extra on TV, you just have to accept it. It’s unfortunate for him, I think, and there’s a lot of emotion out there. But he knows that now the process has to take its course and then I hope that he is back as soon as possible, says Hävelid.

Elias Salomonsson’s concern: “Not my decision”

What do you know about possible suspension?

– I don’t know anything at the moment, says the national team captain.

When do you usually get notified about it?

– I think they are holding a hearing tomorrow if I understood our manager correctly.

However, Salomonsson himself is a little worried that he would be suspended.

– You always are when you get a match penalty, it’s not my decision so we’ll see what happens, says the defender.

Before the tournament, Canada’s super talent Macklin Celebrini received a match penalty for a similar move, but escaped suspension after review.

– I’ve seen it and it might be a bit similar. But I haven’t looked at this afterwards, says Salomonsson.

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2023-12-26 21:43:52
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