The National Hockey League has decided to impose penalties on Nick Cousins and the Ottawa Senators regarding an event that occurred during the pre-game warmups.
On Friday, the league issued a $25,000 fine to the Senators organization and a $2,083.33 fine to forward Nick Cousins for their actions during the warmup period before Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. The fine imposed on Cousins represents the maximum amount permissible under the collective bargaining agreement.
Footage indicates that Cousins shot a puck down the ice in the direction of Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during the warmup session.
Stolarz had previously drawn the ire of the Senators players following a sequence of stick infractions against Ottawa forward Ridly Greig, which resulted in both players receiving minor penalties in Game 2.
In Game 1, Greig had crashed into Stolarz`s lower body during a rush play.
Speaking after Game 3, Stolarz mentioned that he had reached an understanding with the officiating crew prior to the game.
“Watch my back, and I`ll behave,” he reportedly stated.
The Maple Leafs clinched their second consecutive victory in overtime in Game 3, winning 3-2, which placed the Senators on the verge of elimination with Toronto holding a 3-0 lead in the series.
Game 4 is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time / 4 p.m. Pacific Time.
Tristan Blackwood