Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman has been fined $2,500 for high sticking Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres.
Walman cross-checked Skinner in the side of the head in the closing minutes of Tuesday’s game. The two were battling for position at the top of the Red Wings’ crease. Buffalo’s goaltender was pulled, giving them an extra skater.
Walman was called for high-sticking by referee Kendrick Nicholson, who confirmed that there was no injury on the play.
The penalty gave the Sabres a 6-on-4 advantage between the power play and the pulled goaltender. Buffalo was not able to capitalize. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin scored a shorthanded empty-netter to clinch the win for the Wings.
Walman’s fine is not the league maximum, for a change. Based on Walman’s $3.4MM salary, he earns approximately $17,801 per day. His maximum fine is up to 50% of one day’s salary; for him, that’s $8,900, so he’d cap out at $5,000 without a formal hearing based on the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NHLPA.
The Detroit Red Wings won the game 5-3. Referees were Kendrick Nicholson (#30) and Peter MacDougall (#38), with linesmen Brandon Gawryletz (#64) and Dan Kelly (#98).
