St. Louis Blues defenceman Robert Bortuzzo was suspended four games by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Sunday for his cross-checks on Nashville Predators winger Viktor Arvidsson.
The incident occurred early in the first period of Saturday’s game between St. Louis and Nashville. Bortuzzo cross-checked Arvidsson, who tumbled hard into the Blues’ net.
A referee quickly motioned for a penalty call, after which a frustrated Bortuzzo cross-checked Arvidsson again in what appeared to be the forward’s lower back.
Nashville announced Sunday that Arvidsson will miss four-to-six weeks with a lower body injury.
Bortuzzo, 30, has been suspended twice before. In September 2018, he sat out two pre-season games and one regular season game for elbowing Capitals defenceman Michal Kempny in the head. And in December 2014, Bortuzzo was suspended two games for a high hit on Jaromir Jagr.
The latest incident will cost Bortuzzo — who is earning $1.375 million this season — more than $67,000.
The Blues and Predators will rematch in Nashville on Monday. Bortuzzo will be eligible to return Dec. 2 at Chicago.
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