Russians Crush Switzerland 7-0, Swiss Baltisberger has to be Carried Off Ice on Stretcher

Anatoli Golyshev was the guilty party in what appeared to be an illegal head check on the Swiss Phil Baltisberger, which had him carried off the ice on a stretcher in Switzerland's 7-0 loss to Russia.

Golyshev, a 19-year-old KHL pro, earned himself a 5-minute match penalty, which automatically comes with a one-game ban, meaning he missed the rest of the game against Switzerland and will miss the game against Sweden. Baltisberger remained motionless on the ice for several minutes before having to be carried off the ice on a stretcher with his neck immobilized. Luckily, Baltisberger was not paralyzed; in the hospital, he was able to move his arms and legs, but his neck really hurt and he did not have to power to get up. However, the Swiss were so worried about him, that their coach had trouble keeping them focused on the bench. “We're all human and we were all worried about him,” he said, “and we didn't get a diagnosis right away.”

Originally, the referees weren't going to award a penalty, and the Russians believe the major was earned because of the injury. “It was just a shoulder check,” Valeri Bragin, the Russian head coach said through an interpreter. “It's a very strange situation and it's unclear exactly what happened. He (Baltisberger) got hit in the side. Our player is shorter (5-foot-9) and the Swiss player is taller (6-foot-1).If there was no head check, it's just a hockey play. If there was, then of course he should be suspended.” The IIHF will decide on whether Golyshev will participate in any games for the rest of the tournament. I honestly hope they don't let him play, as I was watching the game, and it was a very dirty play. I also simply hope Baltisberger can return to the ice soon, and complete his dream of winning the gold medal.

The Russians ended up beating the Swiss 7-0, on amazing saves by Igor Shestyorkin and goals by Pavel Buchnevich, Rushan Rafikov, and Alexander Dergachyov in the first period.

The second period showed the Russians too many penalties, including two 5-on-3 moments for the Swiss, but the Russians scored two goals by Sergei Tolchinsky and Alexander Sharov, making it 5-0 Russia by the end of the second period.

The third period included two more goals by Russians Vladislav Kamenev and Vyacheslav Leshenko, making the final score 7-0 Russia.