Jets defenceman Neal Pionk fined by NHL Department of Player Safety (video)
Tuesday's game between Central Division rivals, the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets was a rough one to say the least. A total of 51 penalty minutes were handed out, both head coaches were barking at each other. It certainly had the feeling of a playoff game.
In the aftermath of all the rough stuff, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has decided to take action, announcing that they've fined Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk $5,000 for a cross-check on Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson.
With less than a minute remaining in the third period, Johansson had the puck deep in Winnipeg's zone, Pionk skated towards him and delivers a cross-check to his side and lower-rib area where there's no protection. Pionk received a two-minute minor on the play for cross-checking.
Meanwhile, as Pionk received a $5,000 fine, the Department of Player Safety has announced that Ryan Hartman will have a hearing for his hit on Nikolaj Ehlers that forced the Jets forward to leave the game. As per usual with phone hearings, a suspension, if any, will be announced later this afternoon or early evening.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 12 | 199 ANSWERS Jets defenceman Neal Pionk fined by NHL Department of Player Safety (video) Should Pionk have been suspended for this play? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 33.2 % |
| No, a fine was enough | 57 | 28.6 % |
| Shouldn't have even been a fine | 46 | 23.1 % |
| See Results | 30 | 15.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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