Move over Captain Ahab…
The NHL’s latest spearing incident comes at the hands of San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek.
Simek has been fined $5000 for spearing Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique. The infraction came at 6:21 of the second period during Saturday’s game in Anaheim.
Both players picked up roughing penalties on the ensuing battle, which took place right in front of referee Kyle Rehman. No penalty was called for the initial spear.
Here’s the NHL rulebook’s guidance:
62.1 Spearing – Spearing shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade, whether contact is made or not.
62.2 Double-minor Penalty – A double-minor penalty will be imposed on a player who spears an opponent and does not make contact.
62.3 Major Penalty – A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who spears an opponent. Whenever a major penalty is assessed for spearing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.
62.4 Match Penalty – A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who injures an opponent as a result of a spear.
Based on 62.3, a major and game could have been assessed based on the contact.
“I was trying to box out there,” Simek said in defense of the spear. “I will not change my game. I will be strong in front of our net. It was my bad. I will pay for that. But it’s behind me.”
Pay for that, he did. Simek’s fine is the maximum allowable under the league’s CBA.
