Sports

NHL suspends Blues F Barbashev for 1 game for illegal check

St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube, right rear, exhorts his players during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NEW YORK — The NHL has suspended St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev for one game for an illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Marcus Johansson during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The check occurred 5:24 into the first period of St. Louis' 2-1 victory Thursday night.

The 23-year-old Barbashev has played in each of the Blues' 24 playoff games this year. He has three goals and three assists in the postseason.

>> STANLEY CUP: Blues edge Bruins in Game 5

The NHL's department of player safety announced the suspension on Friday.

The Blues can clinch the franchise's first championship with a victory in Game 6 on Sunday night in St. Louis.

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