Sammy Blais suspended two games for hit to the head of Devon Toews

Last night in the Blues 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, Sammy Blais was assessed a two-minute minor for elbowing the head of Devon Toews. Andre Burakovsky scored on the resulting power play.

Earlier today, it was announced that Blais would have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety, and the decision was handed down tonight: Blais will be serving a two game suspension.

From the press release:

St. Louis Blues forward Sammy Blais has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews during NHL Game No. 5 in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 13, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 4:33 of the first period. Blais received a minor penalty for elbowing.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Blais will forfeit $25,862.06. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Department of Player Safety’s breakdown video is here:

The two game suspension comes as Mike Hoffman was due to enter the Blues’ line-up, so chances are very good that Blais would’ve been benched tomorrow night and Monday night for the home opener regardless.