Bruins' Pastrnak Suspended 2 Games For Illegal Head Check On Girardi

BOSTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been suspended for two games without pay for an illegal check to the head of Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi.

The NHL announced the suspension Friday. The play in question occurred during the second period of New York's 5-2 win over Boston on Wednesday. Pastrnak was assessed a minor penalty for the play.

Girardi went through the concussion protocol before being cleared to finish the game.

"I'm kind of reaching for the puck," Girardi said of the hit. "I kind of see him last second. I don't really know what makes contact with my face first. It is what it is. I try to make a hit, and he hit me in the front of the face. It wasn't like it was a side-of-the-head hit. Like I said, they have to do the protocol and take the test. It helps protect players, and I felt fine after the test and went right back out."

Pastrnak will forfeit $10,277.78 in salary during the suspension.

The former first-rounder has been productive on the Bruins' first line this season, scoring five goals and producing eight points through seven games.

He is eligible to return Nov. 3 when Boston visits Tampa Bay.

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