'Clear Knee Check': Sweden Slams Officials After Meier Hit Leaves Sundqvist Injured

Meier’s hit on Sundqvist steals headlines

Mattias Ekholm says Timo Meier’s hit on Oscar Sundqvist was a “clear knee check” after the Swede was carried off vs Switzerland. Meier escaped with 2 minutes in the 3-1 quarter-final loss.

Sweden furious at refs after Sundqvist wheelchair exit from Meier Knee check...

Sweden’s hockey team slammed the officials after their 3-1 World Championship quarter-final loss to Switzerland. The anger came after Oscar Sundqvist was stretchered off in a wheelchair following a heavy knee-on-knee hit from New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier.

The incident happened 34 minutes in when Meier caught Sundqvist with a brutal knee check. The Swiss star plays for the New Jersey Devils and caught Sundqvist unprotected.

Meier only got 2 minutes for the hit and avoided a game misconduct. Sundqvist had to be carried off by teammates. Albert Johansson then jumped Meier after the collision and was sent off too, which left the Swedish bench furious.

“Unbelievably unfair. Cowardly referees. They don't dare to decide against the Swiss public. Really cowardly,” said the 18-year-old Ivar Stenberg to Swedish media “Aftonbladet.” “They had already given a five-minute penalty (against Dean Kukan, editor's note), so they didn't want to give another one.”

Schwedens Oskar Sundqvist muss im WM-Viertelfinal gegen die Schweiz im Rollstuhl vom Eis. Timo Meier entgeht aber einer Matchstrafe. Experten in Schweden können das nicht verstehen. https://t.co/M4WnOMQsoh

— Blick Sport (@Blick_Sport) May 28, 2026

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm believed the early penalty on Dean Kukan in the 7th minute may have swayed the refs on Meier’s hit. The NHL blueliner said: “Personally, I think it's a clear knee check. I don't know if the referees got scared after the five-minute penalty in the first period. But hockey is hockey - you have to judge every situation for what it is.”

Switzerland overturned Sweden’s first-period 1-0 lead and sealed a 3-1 win to book their spot in the semi-finals, ending the Scandinavians’ tournament run.