Oxana Bratisheva and Nina Pirogova have been suspended for actions towards the end of the quarter-finals game against the Czech Republic yesterday. 

Russia won the game, 2-0, to advance to the semi-finals. As a result, both players will miss that game, against the United States, on Friday.

Bratisheva was given a match penalty at 16:01 of the third period for checking to the head and neck area. The incident occurred as Klara Hymlarova chased a loose puck outside the Russian blue line. As Hymlarova reached for the puck, Bratisheva targeted her opponent’s head, injuring Hymlarova, who had to be helped off the ice after receiving treatment.

The Disciplinary Panel determined that the player’s action was dangerous and, as a result, imposed a one-game suspension.

Pirogova was part of a melee in and around the Russian goal involving several players. She was given a fighting major and automatic game misconduct at 18:36 of the third period for repeatedly punching Natalie Mlynkova behind the goal.

The Disciplinary Panel determined that the player’s action was dangerous and, as a result, imposed a one-game suspension.