The most penalized game of the NHL season now has a price tag to go with the penalty minutes.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced fines for two players from Wednesday night’s 84-penalty-minute Panthers-Senators game in Ottawa, a 5-1 Senators win that saw the teams combine for 28 penalties, two fights, and two misconducts.
Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk has been fined $5,000 for roughing Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens. The play came in the third-period scrum at 3:35 that drew roughing minors for Tkachuk, Cozens, Nick Cousins, and Brady Tkachuk. That was one of three roughing minors on the night for Matthew, who finished with six PIM.
Ottawa’s Nick Cousins has been fined $4,091.49 for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent while on Ottawa’s bench. Cousins picking up penalties for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct during that sequence.
After a whistle stopped play, both teams converged in front of the Ottawa bench, with Matthew Tkachuk and Cozens exchanging gloved jabs. Brady, Matthew’s brother, came flying in and started grappling with Cozens. Matthew skated around and started throwing punches, prompting Cousins to reached over the boards from the bench and grab a hold of the elder Tkachuk.
Both fines are the maximum permitted under the collective bargaining agreement. As with all Player Safety fines, the money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1. The game was officiated by referees Wes McCauley (#4) and T.J. Luxmore (#21) with linespersons Scott Cherrey (#50) and Jesse Marquis (#86).
