I'm not sure what set off the goaltender, but this response was definitely over the top. A goalie in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) is facing a lengthy suspension after sucker punching a player hard enough that he needed help getting to his feet and off the ice.
During a game between Leksand and Oskarshamn, Leksand goaltender Mantas Armalis wasn't happy with something going on in his crease. He took out his frustrations by completely blindsiding Oskarshamn's Olli Palola with a brutal punch from behind straight to the head. Palola went down hard and was having a difficult time trying to get to his feet. He was eventually helped off the ice by teammates, while Armalis was booted from the game. You can see in the video that the punch caught Palola right on the nose.
The SHL's Disciplinary Committee is now looking into the matter and it's doubtful Armalis gets away without some kind of suspension. Goalies often get frustrated with players hanging around their crease, but a sucker punch isn't the proper way to deal with it. Palola had to be taken to hospital. He's been diagnosed with a concussion. His coach has called the incident an "assault."
