BREAKING NEWS: Mathew Barzal has ONLY been Fined and NOT suspended

Igor Burdetskiy June 22, 2021

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NHL Player Safety has issued Mathew Barzal a $5000 fine for his illegal cross-check in Game 5 to Jan Rutta.

NY Islanders’ Mathew Barzal has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Cross-checking Tampa Bay’s Jan Rutta.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) June 22, 2021

Barzal hit him in the chest with his stick and then in the face, causing the defenseman to fall to the ice. The trainer came out to check on him and Rutta eventually skated off on his own, but did not come out for the third period. Lightning coach Jon Cooper had no update after the game.

Mat Barzal received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this crosscheck on Jan Rutta. pic.twitter.com/GZnvW9I5EH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 22, 2021

As for their Game 5 loss, the eight goals were the most allowed by the Islanders since an 8-2 loss to the Lightning in Game 1 of the 2020 Eastern Conference final.

“No one expected an 8-0 game, let’s be honest there,” Stamkos said. “But you earn everything you get. And now we’re going to get an extremely desperate team and they’re a proud group over there. We know their rink is going to be rocking.”

Islanders forward Josh Bailey chimed in: “We know the way we need to play to have success, and this game, we’re going to put behind us.”

Can the Islanders once again tie up this series and force a winner-take-all Game 7?

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!