Sweden’s Sara Hjalmarsson suspended for Women’s World Championship Quarterfinals for cross-checking

One of the top offensive stars early in the IIHF Women’s World Championship is going to miss an important game.

On Tuesday, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced that Sweden forward Sara Hjalmarsson has been suspended for the team’s quarterfinal game on Thursday for violating Rule 59, which concerns cross-checking.

The incident happened just past the halfway mark of the second period of Sweden’s clash with Germany on Monday. During a scrum, Hjalmarsson hit Germany’s Tabea Botthof with a high cross-check. Hjalmarsson was handed a two-minute minor penalty on the play.

In the IIHF’s description of the incident, Hjalmarsson, “intentionally lifted her stick while both of her hands were on her stick, and directed a check to the neck area of Germany’s Bottof.”

Germany went on to win the game, 1-0, effectively clinching the top spot in Group B for the first time in seven years.

That takes Hjalmarsson out of the lineup for the team’s tough battle with Canada in the quarterfinals. The Linköping star has been on a strong line for Damkronorna with Josefin Bouveng and Sofie Lundin. The trio were a big part of Sweden’s win over Japan on Sunday, with the line combining for 13 points in the four group-stage games.

Hjalmarsson herself scored two goals and two assists in the opening round.

Sweden ended up finishing second in Group B, one year removed from when the team finished third. Last year in Brampton, Canada beat Sweden in overtime in the quarters on their way to a third straight gold medal game appearance.

The Swedes have not advanced to the semifinals at the Women’s World Championship since 2009.