Saturday night, the Department of Player Safety announced a three-game suspension for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. The suspension stems from an illegal check to the head against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres, on which Barrie left his feet.
In Friday’s game, Barrie was deemed guilty of both charging and interference for the hit on Despres. The hit was both late and saw Barrie launch himself up into Despres’s head.
The suspension will cost Barrie $41,935.47, according to Sportsnet.
Losing Barrie for any amount of time is significant for the Avalanche, who, though it’s very early in the season, sit at the bottom of the Central Division with a 2-2-0 record. Barrie’s offense-first style of play matches the systems coach Patrick Roy has in place, making him a lynchpin of the team’s transition attack.
Barrie led all Avalanche defensemen in points last season posting career-best totals in assists (41) and points (53). So far this season he has two assists through four games.
So far no one at the NHL has come forward about a potential Despres suspension for participating in the crime against good taste that is the new Anaheim Ducks third jersey. The orange monstrosities made their debut on Friday.
