Markov won't play in bronze medal game

SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) -- Russian defenseman Danny Markov has been suspended for the Olympic bronze medal game in men's ice hockey for verbal abuse of an official, officials said Friday.

Markov, 25, was suspended for Saturday's game against Belarus for accosting referee Bill McCreary following Russia's 3-2 semifinal loss to the United States on Friday, the International Ice Hockey Federation said.

The Russians appeared to score the tying goal late in the third period, but McCreary refused to review the play despite vehement protests by the team and coach Vyacheslav Fetisov.

Markov was given a gross misconduct for verbal abuse as he and other Russian players confronted McCreary after the game.

 

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