The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced on Friday that they've fined Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson $5,000 for interference on Florida Panthers forward Eric Staal.
The incident occurred during the first period of Thursday's game between the two teams. Matheson and Staal were chasing down a loose puck, when the Habs blue liner stops and levels the former Canadiens forward. No penalty was called on the play and after a brief moment on the bench, Staal left for the locker room and did not return.
No call after this Mike Matheson reverse hit on Eric Staal (who had to leave the game).
Clean or dirty? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/PODTWduVPZ— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) January 20, 2023
Later in the game, the Panthers sought retribution for the hit as Matthew Tkachuk dropped the mitts with Matheson in a spirited bout. Two more fights ensued, also in the third period, as Arber Xhekaj took on Givani Smith, while Michael Pezzetta went at it with Ryan Lomberg.
The Canadiens and Panthers will meet again on March 16th in Sunrise and then on March 30th in Montreal.
Montreal's Mike Matheson has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Interference on Florida's Eric Staal.— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 20, 2023
Did the NHL DoPS make the right call in giving Matheson a fine?
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