The Flyers will have Scott Hartnell in the lineup for their first-round playoff matchup against the New York Rangers. A spearing major near the end of Sunday’s game has resulted in nothing more than a fine from the league.

Philadelphia winger Scott Hartnell has been fined $5,000 for spearing the Carolina Hurricanes’ Brett Bellemore.

Things got a little chippy with the Flyers trailing 4-3 midway through the third. Philadelphia, pressuring for the tying goal, crashed the net following a Luke Schenn shot. The Canes took exception.  Carolina’s Bellemore was already getting two minutes for slashing Hartnell when the Flyers’ winger took matters into his own hands… err, stick.

Flyers Hartnell Spears Hurricanes' Bellemore

(via @MyRegularFace)

“I was going to the net and got a slash on my wrist,” Hartnell said. “I turned around and obviously stuck the guy and there was a little bit of a melee, but those things happen. I was just trying to make things happen for us.”

Hartnell received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for spearing Bellemore at 13:09 of the third period.  Carolina defenseman Ron Hainsey also went to the box, getting tagged for a roughing minor for jumping Hartnell after the spear.

A $5,000 fine is the maximum than can be levied per the NHL’s CBA.  With a $4.75MM salary, Hartnell makes $57,927 per game, which works out to about $965 per minute. He practically earned his fine while serving that penalty.

Referees for the game were Marc Joannette (#25) and Paul Devorski (#10).

Full video of the play:


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