In the VHL, the period of disqualification of the defender of the St. Petersburg "Dynamo" Artyom Maltsev was revised to ten matches for a power reception against the forward of "SKA-Neva" Kirill Tankov.

The incident happened on September 5th.

After a forceful reception, Tankov flew into the side.

The blow was very strong.

The attacker could not get up, grabbed his head.

Medics immediately ran up to the hockey player and took him off the ice on a stretcher.

The culprit of the situation received a removal until the end of the game, and then a three-match suspension.

However, under pressure from the public, the sports and disciplinary committee of the league revised its decision and increased the suspension of the young man to ten meetings. 

“FHR and VHL intend to continue a tough and principled fight against dirt in hockey.

For repeated violations with injury to the opponent, long-term disqualifications will be imposed, ”the statement on the organization’s official website says.

The nature of the hockey player's injury affected the increase in the period of disqualification.

Immediately after the match, it became known that Kirill was in intensive care.

Then the details of the initial examination appeared: the striker was diagnosed with a fracture of the cervical vertebra.

It takes about a year to recover from such damage. 

On September 7, the press service of SKA-Neva announced the successful operation of Tankov.

“We hope for a speedy return to the hockey player’s team, which is important for the system,” the team’s Telegram channel says.

At the same time, there are no guarantees that the promising forward will be able to return to the previous level.

Public opinion could also have influenced the decision of the KFOR to reconsider the period of disqualification of Maltsev.

Immediately several comments about Tankov were given by the head coach of the army team Roman Rotenberg.

The specialist is well acquainted with the young man, since Kirill spent the entire pre-season with the main team and was sent to the VHL to gain experience.

“Thank God he is alive.

Also a very dirty episode, but the main thing is that he is alive.

Called me from the hospital.

He was on the edge, he was very lucky, the guy was born in a shirt.

The timing of recovery is unclear, perhaps he will miss the entire season.

Now the main thing is his health, so that he returns to hockey, ”Rothenberg said at a press conference after the match with Avangard. 

At the same time, according to the expert, recently athletes have been acting too dangerously towards each other, which Russian hockey does not need. 

“Kirill Tankov is one of the brightest forwards in Russia.

Michkov was also seriously injured, the opponents are playing tough against SKA.

But there are limits, I hope that these limits will be adjusted, it is necessary that our guys play in Russia, please the fans.

Michkov hasn't played for three months now - who needs it?

In North America, the rules govern the game against technical players like Panarin or Kucherov.

We are also moving towards this, but at a slow pace.

I hope we will pay more attention to this," Rotenberg said. 

The former Soviet referee, as well as the honorary vice-president of the FHR, Yuri Karandin, did not remain silent.

In his opinion, if the decisions of KFOR continue to be soft, Russian hockey may become one of the dirtiest in Europe. 

“A three-match suspension for causing such an injury to an opponent is simply ridiculous.

Modern hockey is very fast, the speeds are extremely high, while not everyone's skating technique is up to par.

In such realities, any push on board is the most dangerous violation, which, in the event of a serious injury, must be punished very severely.

Look, Michkov has not yet returned to service, and Emelin, who broke him, has not received even a small fine, ”Karandin said in an interview with Russia-Hockey.

Hockey should be a spectacular and vibrant game that brings joy to the fans, and not the shock of terrible blows against the board.

Although, in defense of Maltsev, it must be said that, perhaps, the violation committed on Tankovo ​​was indeed unintentional.

However, this does not relieve him of responsibility.