The Florida Panthers will still have Ben Chiarot available for their next game, after the Department of Player Safety has decided his headbutt on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton will earn a fine, instead of a suspension. Chiarot has been fined $5,000 for the incident.
When the playoffs began, it seemed unlikely that there would be two head-butting incidents in the first handful of games but that is exactly what has happened after Darnell Nurse was suspended in the Edmonton Oilers’ first-round series. While there are some comparisons between the two plays, it seemed clear that Chiarot’s was of a lesser degree. Partway through the second period, he and Colton came together after a whistle, and the Panthers’ defenseman pushed his helmet into his opponent’s visor.
The league has obviously deemed that unacceptable but ruled it did not rise to the level of a suspension. Still, Chiarot will now be under the microscope as the Panthers try to continue their postseason run, and could receive further discipline should he be involved in any other incidents like this.
Rules? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules!
Glad the poor officiating did not impact the final result. Expect much better from the officials in the playoffs. How did the officials miss the head butt? Should have been a 4 minute PP for the Bolts not matching crosschecking. The interference call on McDonagh was ridiculous, the puck arrived BEFORE the hit. And how is it roughing when Killorn’s face is bloodied by a high stick, that’s a 4 minute penalty not 2 last I looked. Officials need to step up their game.
Doughnut Boy Koharsky said game misconduct and a major penalty, even with no injury as contact was made. Chariot got off lightly with the fine and matching minors.
Screw the bolts, crying about everything likes the big feminine girls they are . Maybe F atty Patty Maroon can parade his group of puppies around the rink while wears extra large rainbow shirt . I wonder if anyone has ever seen him with a real woman , in case no one gets it .