Blues forward Ivan Barbashev got away with a possibly fineable hit in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup on Thursday, but that isn't keeping him from facing punishment.
Barbashev has been suspended one game for the hit, NHL Player Safety announced Friday following St. Louis' 2-1 win in Game 5.
St. Louis’ Ivan Barbashev has been suspended for one game for an Illegal Check to the Head on Boston’s Marcus Johansson. https://t.co/CVEqVANQ7a
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) June 7, 2019
In the first period of the matchup against the Bruins with the game tied 0-0, Barbashev went up high with his shoulder and hit Boston forward Marcus Johansson.
Marcus Johansson looks to be hit up high from Ivan Barbashev here.#yikes #nhlbruins pic.twitter.com/J5Nkivfxz3
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) June 7, 2019
The hit was not penalized in the game, but Johansson did go down to the ice.
Barbashev joins teammate Oskar Sundqvist who was also suspended for one game in this series for his hit on Matt Grzelcyk in Game 2.
Grzelcyk remains out with an injury in the series.
The Bruins did get a power play soon after the hit on Johansson on a delay of game penalty but they were unable to capitalize on the two-minute minor.
The Blues lead the series 3-2.