Photo: HockeyNews.we/Bildbyran
Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin sustained an apparent knee injury in the first period of Team Sweden’s IIHF 2023 World Championship preliminary game against Team USA on Tuesday.
Only minutes into the game, Team USA (and Tampa Bay Lightning) forward Mason Eyssimont collided with Sandin along the boards, and connected with Sandin’s left knee.
Rasmus Sandin is in a lot of pain and has left the game after Michael Eyssimont got him in the knee. #IIHFworlds pic.twitter.com/B0upxvDpSM
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) May 23, 2023
Sandin was left lying on the ice for a while but would eventually be led off the ice with the help of managers and players. He was unable to put any weight on his left leg and would go directly to the locker room.
For Mason Eyssimont, after video review, the referees decided on a five-minute major with a subsequent match penalty.
During the the first intermission, Team Sweden announced that Sandin will not return to the game after sustaining a lower body injury and that the defender will be examined further this evening.
Sandin has started all games in the top pairing for Team Sweden. He entered Tuesday’s game with one assist in six games at the worlds.
Today’s game between Team USA (6-0) and Team Sweden (5-0-1) is the final game in group play for both teams, with top spot in Group A on the line.
Team Sweden announced its final roster for the 2023 IIHF World Championships (WC) on May 9. Sandin made the final roster while newly acquired Hardy Haman Aktell did not make the final 25-man roster.
This story is developing.
By Jon Sorensen
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