Despite a 3-0 loss to Sweden on Sunday, Finland earned one of the byes into the Olympic tournament quarterfinals in Vancouver. But the Finns will play without defenseman Joni Pitkanen, according to The Associated Press.
The Canes' Pitkanen was ejected with a game-misconduct penalty late in the second period for checking Patric Hornqvist in the head. The AP reported that International Ice Hockey Federation spokesman Szymon Szemberg said Pitkanen had been suspended and would not play Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
"He's a key part on the power play and obviously on the breakouts he's such a good skater and mobile defenseman and sees the ice well," defenseman Sami Salo said. "Obviously it's a big loss but it opens up a spot for Janne Niskala."
The hit left Hornqvist crumpled along the boards. After getting up slowly, he needed help to get off the ice before walking slowly toward the dressing room.
Hornqvist had been penalized for tripping earlier, but Sweden's Niklas Kronwall had a vicious, open-ice hit on Niklas Hagman that did not result in a penalty despite leaving him with a bloody mouth.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
No fighting in International rules
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 18:21 — batsleft_throwsleftThis is the problem with no fighting, they resort to vicious hits. If you watched the lesser games, Germany vs Belarus, etc where almost everyone is a European league player, you see all kinds of stuff that would result inf a fight in the NHL. Not that the NHL is free of cheap shots, but you don't see the amount of "stick as a weapon" behavior I've seen in these games.
Not surprised it's Joni who got suspended, he's had a couple other "what was he thinking?" moments lately.
International Rules
Tue, 02/23/2010 - 06:20 — LetsGoPittInteresting take, lefty, I will have to watch more closely. I've stayed up and watched almost every game and not really noticed a lot of cheap shots. Maybe a couple of boardings, but, not many. Do you think since they are playing on NHL size rink that it has led to more hits?
And yes, Joni was getting suspended. Could make it tough for the Finns who did not look good against Sweden.
It was a pretty ugly play.
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 18:12 — mrobviousIt was a pretty ugly play. (Of course, at 130AM everything is pretty ugly) The penalty could have been charging, as he left his feet. Elbow right to the face. 5 and game was completely appropriate.
The International Rules
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 10:34 — esteban1949On some hits ...no big deal...others and "head shots" a definate no no...i remember when an american boxer who all but beat his cuban oponent to death but lost as the cuban fighter had more points than the american did...Olympic Scoring...makes me glad i'm a spectator !
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Joni suspended?!?!
Mon, 02/22/2010 - 10:30 — vance203This has to be a joke! Joni barely give more than a love-tap whenever he attempts to check anybody. Must have been bad timing.
Did you see the hit?
Tue, 02/23/2010 - 11:55 — NCBuff_CaniacIt was not a love tap. I thought he would get suspended when it happened. It was nasty.