Hockey Ops has handed out its first diving fine of the season. This one, surprisingly, goes to a goaltender.
Minnesota Wild netminder Alex Stalock has been fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment. His fine comes after a warning earlier this season.
Stalock was issued a warning after an October 12 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He saw 24:49 of ice time, coming on in relief of goaltender Devan Dubnyk in an eventual 7-4 loss. He was not penalized, nor did he draw a penalty.
His second offense, which prompted the $2,000 fine, came against the Winnipeg Jets on December 21. Just 15 seconds into the third period, with his team shorthanded and trailing 3-0, Stalock went down to the ice after a bump from Jets forward Mark Scheifele.
Referees Brad Meier and Furman South sent Scheifele off for goaltender interference. Stalock was not penalized on the play. Hockey Ops, though, reviewed the incident and determined that Stalock dove to draw the call. The Wild went on to fall to the Leafs 6-0.
Stalock is the first goaltender fined for diving since Toronto’s Frederik Andersen was hit with a $2000 fine in January 2018.
