Repeat Offender Gets Slapped With Max Amount of Fine by NHL Player Safety
In a dramatic turn of events during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, New Jersey Devil's forward Tomas Tatar finds himself on the receiving end of a hefty $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for a high-sticking incident involving Hurricanes' star Sebastian Aho.
The incident unfolded in the blink of an eye, as Tatar collided with Aho, prompting a swift and reckless swing of his stick, connecting with Aho's head. The referees promptly penalized Tatar with a two-minute penalty, but the situation didn't end there. NHL Player Safety took it upon themselves to review the footage, ultimately determining that a fine was warranted.
The unfortunate occurrence took place at the 12:20 mark of the first period, leaving Aho slow to rise after absorbing the blow to the back of his head. However, Aho's teammates wasted no time rushing to his aid, converging on Tatar with passion and exchanging some undoubtedly harsh words.
Considering the severity of Tatar's actions, the fact that he only received a financial penalty should be viewed as a stroke of luck. The incident reeked of intent to injure, fueled by overwhelming anger, which easily could have resulted in a suspension had the circumstances been different. It is worth noting that the funds collected from Tatar's fine will be allocated to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund, serving as a small silver lining in an otherwise regrettable incident.
| POLL | ||
Should Tatar have been suspended for this? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 60.3 % |
| No, the fine is fair. | 46 | 39.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
