An International Ice Hockey Federation rule designed to protect players' heads cost the Czech Republic an Olympic quarterfinal game against Finland on Wednesday.
In fact, Kubina was cognizant that he was risking a penalty - and a two-man disadvantage - by playing sans helmet, although simply putting the helmet back on his head is also against the rules.
"It's a really stupid rule," Kubina said.
He wasn't alone.
"It was good for us that he lost his helmet, but it's a stupid rule," said Hagman, who scored the game-winner with less than seven minutes remaining. "I know they want to keep it safe. [But] you lose a helmet; you should let the guy play."
"We play in the NHL, so you don't remember [the IIHF rule] and the team is so focused and so into the game that it's almost impossible to remember that," said Finnish forward Teemu Selanne, who plays for the NHL's Anaheim Ducks. "On the safety issue, I think it's a good rule. Hockey-wise, it's a bad rule, especially in the NHL.
"That would be a target. Guys would do that on purpose. In front of the net, in those little battles there, you'd just knock the guy's helmet off," Selanne added. "It could be five-on-four, five-on-three, even five-on-two. So, I would stick with the NHL rule. That's a tough break for [Kubina], and for us NHL players, it's wrong that that happened."
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/hockey/news/newsid=51806.html#finns+knock+czechs+will+meet+u+s+semifinals
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