St. Louis Blues Netminder Jordan Binnington has been suspended for two games and is losing nearly $65,000 of his average annual salary after he was kicked out of the game against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night for punching forward Ryan Hartman in the face.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper was thrown out after being handed a match penalty in the second period of the Blues’ 8-5 defeat the wild after exiting the crease and hitting Hartman in the face with his blocker after Hartman’s power play goal.
Jordan Binnington, #50 of the St. Louis Blues, pumps up the crowd during the game against the Minnesota Wild at Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)
The incident sparked a massive pile-up and even knocked out Wild goalie Marc Andre Fleury, but officials separated the two before a second brawl could break out.
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“On his way to celebrate with his teammates, [Hartman] slight and accidental contact with Binnington, who slid out of his crease towards Hartman,” NHL Division of Player Safety said in a video statement of the verdict.
Jordan Binnington, #50 with the St. Louis Blues, competes with the Minnesota Wild at the Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Joe Pütz/NHLI via Getty Images)
“Long since the game is over and the Wilds celebrate their goal, Binnington exits the area of his kink, approaches the unsuspecting Hartman and his teammates, raises his blocker and stick to head height, and hits Hartman in the face with the blocker.”
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Binnington was suspended for two games Thursday without pay and will lose $64,864.86 of his average annual salary, the league said.
Binnington on Friday said he had “hoped less” than his two-game ban, adding he didn’t think he had made contact with Hartman.
Marc-Andre Fleury, No. 29 Minnesota Wild, attempts to make physical contact with Jordan Binnington, No. 50 St. Louis Blues, but is arrested at the Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 by linesman Dan Kelly, No. 98, stopped St. Louis, Missouri. (Joe Pütz/NHLI via Getty Images)
“I was just repeating that he knows how to embellish a piece,” he said. “I’ve watched the video countless times. I never got in touch with him.”
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The Blues called potential Joel Hofer in Binnington’s absence. He will play his third NHL game against them on Friday Washington Capitals.
“I’ve been waiting for the call all year,” Hofer said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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