Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk fined $5,000 for cross-checking Bruins’ Garnet Hathaway

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has fined Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk $5,000, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, for cross-checking Boston Bruins forward Garnet Hathaway.

The incident occurred at the end of a fiery and physical first period when Hathaway was unsuspectingly cross-checked in the ribs by Tkachuk. Hathaway was in severe discomfort as he lay on the ice for a few moments before going to the locker room. Tkachuk was assessed a two-minute minor penalty on the play. However, the Bruins made Tkachuk pay when Jake DeBrusk fired home a powerplay goal to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. 

Tempers continued to flare, and during the last three minutes of the third period, a line brawl almost erupted when none other than Matthew Tkachuk got into it with Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark. Both players were willing combatants, Ullmark threw off his glove and blocker and held his mask in hand, but the referees shut it down. The Bruins ultimately won the game 6-2 and took a commanding 3-1 series lead. The 25-year-old has registered two goals and five points in four games this postseason. 

This is not Tkachuk’s first trip to the principal’s office either this season. Back in November, Tkachuk was suspended two games for high-sticking Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. Throughout his seven-year career so far, he has been suspended four times and received two additional fines.