Water is expensive, at least if you’re spraying it at opposing players.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed out $5,000 fines to New York Rangers center Kevin Hayes and Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn, all for unsportsmanlike conduct from Thursday’s game.
Hayes kicked things off with an aquatic assault from the Rangers’ bench, squirting Killorn with his water bottle. Killorn gave a retaliatory stick jab.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 3, 2017
Stamkos sought some revenge of his own, spraying in the direction of the Rangers’ bench.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 3, 2017
Killorn picked up a minor for slashing, with the conflict also setting off a fight between New York’s Steven Kampfer and Tampa’s J.T. Brown.
“Basically, the ice was pretty dry, so I wanted to get it wet,” said Hayes.
Former NHL tough guy Kelly Chase was not pleased:
Did we just apologize on TV and fine guys for squirting water? Why the hell do we apologize for everything
— Kelly Chase (@Chasenpucks39) November 3, 2017
“Boys will be boys,” offered Rangers’ coach Alain Vigneault.
From the NHL:
New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes and Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos each have been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct during NHL Game No. 189 in Tampa on Thursday, Nov. 2, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 3:01 of the third period. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
