The Bruins’ Matt Grzelcyk was fined $5,000 for his spearing of the Washington Capitals’ Max Pacioretty, the maximum fine allowed.
Late in the first period of the B’s 3-0 loss to the Caps on Saturday at the Garden, Pacioretty hit Grzelcyk behind the net on a borderline late hit that was not called. With Pacioretty then parked in the slot, Grzelcyk came out to defend against him and wound up spearing him in the groin area, which doubled over the Cap. He briefly left the game.
Grzelcyk was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Pacioretty returned to the game in the second period and, on the power play, set up T.J. Oshie for what would be the game-winning goal in Washington’s shutout win.
After the game, coach Jim Montgomery suggested the spearing was accidental – Grzelcyk, indeed, is not known for dirty play – but that didn’t spare him from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety from reaching into the defenseman’s wallet.
