Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Swedish hockey star Nicklas Backstrom missed Sunday's gold medal game against Canada after testing positive for a banned substance found in allergy medication his NHL team said he has been taking intermittently for seven years.
The Washington Capitals said in a statement Backstrom uses the medication "to combat severe allergies."
The team said the medication, which Backstrom has been taking this season, was approved by the Swedish national team.
Backstrom was in the original lineup for Sunday's game, but was scratched just before warmups. Sweden went on to drop a 3-0 decision to Canada.
The NHL said the specific substance in Backstrom's case is not on the league's banned list and, once confirmed, that he would not be subject to further NHL discipline.
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