Pittsburgh's defensive prospect was given a game misconduct for a questionable knee-on-knee hit during Finland's quarterfinal matchup against Slovakia
The Pittsburgh Penguins currently have three organizational prospects competing at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario.
And one of them was entangled in some controversy on Thursday.
Finnish defensive prospect Emil Pieniniemi - a third-round pick by the Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft - was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing defenseman and 2025 draft prospect Luka Radivojevic during Finland's quarterfinal matchup against Slovakia:
The reaction to the verdict on social media has been mixed, with some saying that the game misconduct call on Pieniniemi was a bit harsh - and that there appeared to be no intent on Pieniniemi's part - and others saying they made the correct call.
Pieniniemi was signed to his entry-level contract in the summer of 2023 by the Penguins, and he has one goal and two points in parts of four games for Team Finland at the tournament.
On the season for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, he has registered four goals and 34 points in 32 games.
