Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he fired a puck down ice just prior to the buzzer, narrowly missing the head of Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard.
Mikkola’s late blast happened during Sunday’s game in Florida. It sparked a scrum on the ice, but he picked up the only penalties handed out. Mikkola was given a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct along with a 10-minute misconduct.
Full credit to linesman Julien Fournier on the play. He wrestled to contain Mikkola and get him off the ice, even as the Canadiens’ players were trying to get at him. Not an easy task, but great to move to focus on getting him out of there.
This was just a boneheaded play by Mikkola. Sure, it’s legal for him to play to the whistle; he can move up ice and take a shot on goal. Down by two, though, just letting one rip out of frustration from the defensive end isn’t a hockey play. Someone – an opposing player, teammate, or official – could’ve been injured. Nothing good would’ve come of it. Even if his shot was on net and somehow eluded Habs goaltender Sam Montembeault, Florida would’ve still trailed by one with hardly any time left on the clock. Glad to see the NHL’s Department of Player Safety levy a fine here, no matter how inconsequential the amount to a player making $2.5 million per season.
The Florida Panthers lost 4-2 to the Florida Panthers. Referees for the game were Jean Hebert (#15) and Kendrick Nicholson (#30); linespersons were Julien Fournier (#56) and Ben O’Quinn (#91).
Florida and Montreal will meet back up on Tuesday at the Bell Centre.
