St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich received a two-game suspension Tuesday for headbutting an opponent.
Buchnevich received a match penalty Monday after he headbutted Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse late in the first period of the Blues’ 7-4 win in Glendale, Ariz. Crouse cross-checked Buchnevich twice before the latter responded with a headbutt as the two players were facing each other. Crouse served a minor penalty and finished the game.
The NHL Department of Player Safety held a hearing with Buchnevich earlier Tuesday.
“It is important to note that Buchnevich’s helmet makes clear, direct and intentional contact with Crouse’s face,” a Department of Player Safety official said in a video released Tuesday. “This is not two players hitting their heads accidentally or inadvertently. This is an unacceptable and intentional headbutt delivered to an opponent’s face with some force.”
Buchnevich will miss St. Louis’ next two games: Wednesday against the host Vegas Golden Knights and Saturday at home against the Los Angeles Kings.
He was deemed a repeat offender by the league. In May, he earned a one-game suspension for high-sticking Washington Capitals forward Anthony Mantha in the face, Buchnevich’s first league punishment of any kind.
The 26-year-old scored his first goal of the season earlier in the first period on Monday. He also had an assist in St. Louis’ 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Buchnevich was acquired from the New York Rangers on July 23 in exchange for forward Sammy Blais and a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He agreed to a four-year, $23.2 million deal four days later.
Buchnveich recorded a career-high 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) in 54 games in 2020-21. He has 197 points (80 goals, 117 assists) in 303 career games since being selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft.
–Field Level Media
