The Department of Player Safety has spoken:
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct during NHL Game No. 1170 in Florida on Sunday, March 30, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 19:58 of the third period. Mikkola was assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct as well as a 10-minute misconduct.
The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
This was earned but it almost guarantees a fight between Mikkola and ____ next game. I remember when the league was doing its best to put a stop to late game shenanigans but that doesn’t seem to be in full force with such a light fine.
I expect a lot more of this down the stretch has the games become more important. I wonder if the league expects this too? I guess time will tell with this one.
