The Department of Player Safety has decided that Joe Thornton’s hit on Mathieu Perreault last night did not rise to the level of a suspension, issuing the Toronto Maple Leafs forward a $3,017.24 fine for interference instead. Perreault left the game for a time but ended up returning to action for the Winnipeg Jets. That is the maximum allowable amount under the current CBA.
The incident occurred partway through the third period and Thornton did receive a minor penalty for it. Still, this is now the second time a Toronto player has been fined in the last week for a dangerous play against the Jets, following Zach Hyman’s high-stick on Neal Pionk. Between those incidents, Alexander Edler was given a two-game suspension for a hit on Hyman.
It’s getting physical in the North Division as the playoffs approach, especially between the Maple Leafs and Jets who are still battling it out for the top spot. The lack of serious injury likely helped Thornton’s case here and Toronto will certainly be happy their veteran forward will be available going forward.
Toronto bias, much???
I dislike Toronto due to most of their fans and Sportsnet’s Leafs-only policy, however I fail to see a Toronto bias in the article here…
The bias is not towards the article. The bias is towards the NHL in general.
says the guy with Selanne in his handle in a story about Winnipeg lol
looks like a proper call to me. Not a legal hit, hence the fine of Thornton, and also not worth a suspension.
And if you thought it was suspendable, it is more likely the league took the individual’s history (thornton) into account more than the organization they play for (leafs). Buy hey, if you think a team always gets preferential treatment then you will continue to see it that way
this is bang on
Sportsnet’s “Leafs only policy”? The Leafs have (a) the most fans of any hockey team and (b) the most haters of any hockey team, so Leafs articles on Sportsnet.ca get by far the most clicks and comments. Similarly, Leafs games have the most viewers by far, hence why they always play at 7 pm on HNIC. It’s pretty straightforward.
You’d think if the NHL favoured the Leafs so much they’d have at least won one playoff series since 2004.
My point is this – 3 reviews took place involving Leafs players of late (2 of them Hyman). All 3 calls went Toronto’s way. Seemed like a foregone conclusion to me…
If there is a bias for the Leafs, it will die an immediate death if they face a US team in the playoffs. Bettman sees USD and TV contracts more than fair competition.
The guy basically ran into Thornton’s shoulder. He didn’t put his elbow out. Where is the fine to ellers for the spear to Thornton.