The whole of hockey Sweden rages against the assault in the SHL – was taken to hospital after the goalkeeper’s attack: “A disgusting assault”

Mantas Armalis had a brain drain – and went on the attack.
Olli Palola was taken to the emergency room after being bloodied, and now the whole of hockey Sweden rages against the Leksand goalkeeper.
– It is a disgusting assault, says SVT expert Jonas Andersson.

It was in Tuesday’s match between Oskarshamn and Leksand that the incident took place. In a tight situation in front of Leksand’s net, Olli Palola tried to get the puck in, but it didn’t work. As soon as the puck left the goal area, Palola chose to push his club tip – i.e. spearing – at goalkeeper Mantas Armalis.

The anger after the attack

Armalis reacted by leaving his goal area – and bringing down an unsuspecting Palola, who was unprepared for the left-handed flick from the goalkeeper. Palola was left lying on the ice for a long time, before he was finally helped into the dressing room. Mantas Armalis received a match penalty for the offence, and on Wednesday morning he was also reported to the disciplinary committee, meaning a suspension could be in store.

Leksand eventually won the match in extra time, despite the match penalty, but afterwards it wasn’t the sporting aspect that Oskarshamn wanted to talk about. Coach Martin Filander was furious at Armali’s attack.

– It is an assault. I feel a little sick, I must say. He was not directly contactable during the break, says Oskarshamn coach Martin Filander to TV4 Play.

“A nasty assault”

Not long after Palola was taken out in the dressing room, he was rushed to the emergency room. That after trying to get up several times, but just collapsing. According to Oskarshamn’s team doctor, Palola was also unable to answer what date it was, or whether he remembered anything from the situation.

– It was scary. He was bad there. It is clear that it was nasty when you are so far gone after a bang, says sports manager Oscar Alsenfelt to Aftonbladet.

After the blow, the tone on social media has been harsh, and the criticism of Leksands goalkeeper Mantas Armalis enormous. Many believe that he deserves a long suspension, and so does SVT expert Jonas Andersson, who does not hold back in his criticism.

– It’s a disgusting assault! Sure, Armalis gets speared in the sequence before, but he has time to think. Add to that that there is an extra high risk of injury when you hit with the picking glove, which is not padded in all places. All in all, this means that I believe it should result in a long suspension, says Andersson.

See the situation HERE (external link to TV4)