Mora IK goaltender Marcus Hellgren Smed has been suspended for two matches following a kicking incident in a loss to Modo Hockey. The disciplinary committee banned him from November 17 to 21, meaning he will miss upcoming games against Nybro and Troja. Hellgren Smed expressed regret over the event that occurred at the end of Modo's 4-3 overtime victory.
The incident unfolded during Mora's Hockeyettan match against Modo on Sunday, where Modo secured a 4-3 win in overtime. As the game concluded, Mora's goaltender Marcus Hellgren Smed, heading toward the middle circle, encountered Modo's 18-year-old defenseman Hugo Hallin. Hellgren Smed delivered a kick that felled Hallin, resulting in a match penalty for kicking.
Hellgren Smed was reported to the disciplinary committee on Monday. The committee's decision, announced shortly after, imposes a suspension from November 17 to 21, equivalent to two games. This will sideline him for Mora's away matches against Nybro and Troja this week.
Speaking to Mora-tidningen, Hellgren Smed addressed the situation: "Ja jag möter spelar och en säger en del saker till mig. Jag är då utanför det avstånd jag anses få ha från kroppen och då dömer dom för det." He declined to reveal what Hallin said but added, "Jag tycker inte det är en sparkrörelse men jag får inte göra så och jag är såklart ångerfull."
As Mora's starting goaltender this season, Hellgren Smed has appeared in 14 games with a save percentage of 89.1%. The event stemmed from frustrations after Mora's loss, with Hellgren Smed noting post-game tensions.