With less than two minutes remaining in the last Group A game of the 2024 IIHF World Championship, with Switzerland leading Finland 3-1, Finnish captain Markus Granlund cross-checked Swiss defenseman Andrea Glauser in the face during a battle for the puck along the boards. Granlund was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking and a game misconduct, which is automatic for any cross-check above the shoulders.
There was immediate speculation that Granlund could face disciplinary action for the incident, possibly forcing him to miss Finland’s quarterfinal match-up with Sweden on Thursday.
Facing the media after the game, Swiss captain Roman Josi was put in the uncomfortable position of speaking about the incident that involved one of his current teammates and a longtime teammate and friend from the NHL. Josi and Granlund played together on the Nashville Predators from 2019 to 2023.
“He’s not a dirty player but obviously, he got him up high,” Josi said about Granlund. “You could see that he felt bad right away. I played with him for a long time, I’m really good friends with him, he’s a great guy and I know he didn’t do it on purpose. He just made a mistake in the heat of the moment.”
Do you agree with the call of five minutes and a game misconduct?
“Yeah, I mean, if you cross-check someone in the face … you can’t do that. Like I said, he’s not a dirty player. He’s a great competitor, he plays hard, I think he just made a mistake and he realized it. But they’re going to call that a five every time.”
Why do you think he did it?
“I don’t know. I think Glausy got him with a hit earlier and the emotions just kinda got the best of him.”
What does Glauser think of the situation?
“I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him yet. He seems to be okay, so that’s the main thing. It’s always a dangerous play if the stick gets up high.”
UPDATE: Since the original publication of this article, the IIHF has announced a one-game suspension against Granlund.