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David Pastrnak suspended two games for Dan Girardi head-shot (Video)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers gets up slowly after taking a hit to the head from David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins in the second period at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
Dan Girardi of the New York Rangers gets up slowly after taking a hit to the head from David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins in the second period at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2016 in New York City. (Getty Images)

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has suspended Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak two games for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi.

The play occurred at the 10:55 mark of the second period of their Wednesday game where Pastrnak received a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head on the play.

The Department of Player Safety pointed out that Girardi was eligible to be checked, but Pastrnak didn’t have to make Girardi’s head the “main point of contact.”

“As Girardi reaches to catch the puck he begins opening up his body towards center ice. After he bobbles the puck he continues opening up in the same direction,” the Player Safety video said “As he does, Pastrnak unnecessarily extends up and into the head of Girardi delivering a blow to the head and knocking him to the ice.”

Added Player Safety, “Rather than staying low and hitting through his opponent’s body, Pastrnak unnecessarily extends up and into this hit picking the head and making it a main point of contact.”

The video also pointed out that Girardi’s head does not change location right before the Pastrnak hit.

Girardi left the game but returned to action and played over six minutes in the third period in New York’s 5-2 win over the Bruins.

“I don’t see the guy coming,” Girardi said after the game. “Got hit in the face; lucky it wasn’t the forehead. I feel good now, that’s the only thing that matters.”

This is the 20-year-old Pastrnak’s first run in with supplemental discipline in his 104-game NHL career. Losing him could hurt the Bruins in their upcoming stretch. Pastrnak has gotten off to a strong start with five goals and eight points in seven games. He will sit road games at the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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