Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen has been fined $5,000 for a cross-check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov.
The incident came early in the third period of Thursday’s game in Minnesota. ith the game tied at 2, Rantanen delivered a high hit to Kaprizov while battling for a loose puck along the boards. The Stars forward was whistled for a minor penalty for roughing.
Kaprizov was not injured on the play.
Rantanen’s fine is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement without a formal hearing. Fines are capped at 50% of one day’s salary, with a maximum of $5,000 without a hearing. If a hearing takes place, the league can issue a fine up to $10,000. Players do not receive a salary during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Minnesota Wild went on to win the game 5-2, besting the Dallas Stars in their best-of-seven series 4-2. Referees for the game were Chris Rooney (#5) and Peter MacDougall (#38); Kyle Flemington (#55) and Ryan Daisy (#81) worked the lines.
The Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
