NEW YORK - The NHL has fined Toronto defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson US$5,000 for his hit on Tampa Bay forward Jake Guentzel.
The incident occurred in the third period of the Maple Leafs' 5-2 win against the visiting Lightning on Monday.
Ekman-Larsson skated in front of Guentzel and threw his back into a hit as the Tampa Bay forward chased a puck. Guentzel's head snapped back as he fell to the ice, but he remained in the game.
Ekman-Larsson was assessed a minor penalty for interference on the play.
It was the second time in the game that the two players had a run-in. Guentzel was assessed a roughing minor in the second period for hitting Ekman-Larsson in the face with his forearm following a scrum.
The $5,000 fine is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association.
This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
