St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington has been suspended for two games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for roughing/unsportsmanlike conduct against Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.
In a video explaining the suspension, the incident is described as follows:
With Binnington in net, Hartman scores a power play goal to put the Wild up 5-4. On the way to celebrate the goal with his teammates, he makes light, incedental contact with Binnington, who was sliding out of his crease and towards Hartman. With the play long over, and as the Wild celebrate their goal, Binnington leaves the area of his crease, approaches the unsuspecting Hartman and his teammates, raises his blocker and stick to head level, and strikes Hartman in the face with the blocker.
The reason for the play resulting in suspension is the fact Binnington used his blocker in such a manner, the fact it was in retaliation following a goal, how hard he hit Hartman and the fact it was in the head, as well as the fact the incident occurred after Minnesota had taken the lead.
This is the first time Binnington has been suspended, and he has never been fined by the NHL.
Binnington, 29, has been shaky this season for the Blues, with a .892 save percentage and 3.39 GAA in 52 games played. The Blues have entered a new era, having traded longtime franchise pillar Vladimir Tarasenko and captain and 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly.
The Blues sit in sixth place in the Central Division, only ahead of the lowly Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks.
The suspension of Binnington is probably a favor to the Blues, I’m also guessing it’s his last season in St.Louis.
Considering he still has four years left on his contract, your guess is only slightly off.
Good thing it was a guess…
Yeah you probably shouldn’t comment things you clearly know nothing about.
@Qbert. Wilf does it often, it’s usually hockey related.
You obviously don’t watch hockey
In terms of his on-ice numbers, he’s also had an absolutely garbage defense in front of him.
Blues D has gone down hill since the I’ll advised move of essentially replacing Edmundson and Petro with Faulk. Army screwed up. They are giving up league high in high percentage shot opportunities.
good call.. smashing dudes w/blocker punches is pretty lame..
It’s about time this dude gets punished. He constantly uses the untouchable nature of being a goalie as a license to be a dirt bag. Anyone who watches his antics should be able to agree that he should have been fined multiple times and suspended at least once before now.
Should have suspended the refs for not allowing the goalie fight. It’s like the NHL doesn’t want excitement.
Yeah you probably aren’t aware but the Quebec Major junior league is banning fighting starting next year.Still working out some details . But it’s done. Now go look in your crystal ball and you’ll see where this is going to lead in a few years .
Binner probably feels unprotected by the defense (Krug -25 last year) and the NHL. Kadri was allowed to dive onto his knee with impunity in a manner remisnicent of Wendell Clark on Grant Fuhr. With support like that, blockers come in handy. Just ask Billy Smith.
Nazem’s day is coming….
It was Nick Kypreos, not Clark. Anyways, I just want to see someone mop the ice with Binnington one time so he’ll stop throwing his 170 lbs. around like he’s Bob Probert.
I don’t remember Wendell doing that to Grant in Edmonton.
Hofer is the future, and has been recalled.
In case anyone wants to listen.
The wild had MAF miced up the whole game and it’s worth the listen via the wilds Twitter or Facebook pages lol!
Was a epic comeback win for the ages though.
But Bennington got what he deserved.
He had no reason to go after Hartman.
Meh, the man has taken his time to actually receive his 1st suspension. Probably should have come sooner, but he hasn’t actually contacted another player in one of his rampages. May realize he isn’t good enough to cost himself some game cheques going forward, but not likely before he is done in the league. Guy is a WWE star with his actions. Fun to watch, but we all know he really wouldn’t win a real fight if he was forced into it. Guy couldn’t beat a Jr A player if he had to. Hence why semi retired MAF had to skate down and tell the officials “it would be funny”
Ya goalies ARE NOT fighters. Not on teams I played on .
Anyone that says Binnington has been shaky for the Blues don’t watch Blues hockey. Binnington had been the Blues best player by far. His numbers suck because the team in front of him has sucked. Constantly being hung out to dry and left defenseless for back door tap in goals.