New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal ejected for cross-check in blowout loss to Tampa Bay Lightning
The New York Islanders had plenty go wrong for them during Monday’s 8-0 blowout loss in Game 5 at the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Now, they’re facing the possibility of disciplinary action against star forward Mathew Barzal after he was ejected for cross-checking Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta.
The defending champion Lightning were up 6-0 in the closing seconds of the second period when Rutta and Barzal exchanged words on the way to the bench.
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.
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“I was a little disappointed because it wasn’t going well and he dug it a little deeper for the guys,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said of Barzal’s infraction.
On-ice officials called a major penalty and an ejection, and the call was upheld after a review.
It’s possible that Barzal will only be fined $5,000 for his infraction, but if he has to sit out a game, it would be a big blow to an Islanders team trying to stay alive at home in Game 6 on Wednesday. After being shut out in the first eight playoff games, Barzal has six goals in the last nine games.
The game was uncharacteristic for the Islanders, who have played solid defense throughout the playoffs to reach the third round for the second year in a row.
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored 45 seconds in after the puck came to him on a fortuitous bounce for his first goal of the series.
“We were talking about our line internally that we wanted to be better and we certainly were tonight, so it was great to see,” he said. “Anytime something that good happens early in a game, it’s always a great feeling as a player. But more important, it was a spark … for our team.”