VIDEO: Malkin elbows Eichel in the back of the head at World Championship
Laszlo Balogh / Reuters
It's a little early for Jack Eichel's rookie initiation, but don't tell Evgeni Malkin.
The Pittsburgh Penguins star elbowed Eichel, the projected second overall draft pick, in the back of the head late in the first period of Russia's semifinal against the United States at the World Championship in Prague on Saturday.
Malkin was assessed an elbowing minor with 19 seconds remaining in the opening frame, but the U.S. failed to capitalize on the power play.
The winner of Saturday's semifinal faces Canada in the gold-medal game Sunday.
- With h/t to Seth Rorabaugh