MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will not face any further discipline from the NHL for his actions against New Jersey Devils forward Kyle Palmieri Thursday.
With 18 seconds remaining in the first period of Montreal’s 5-2 win over New Jersey, Price was knocked over by Palmieri. He responded by punching Palmieri several times with his blocker.
The NHL rule book states a goaltender who punches a player with his blocker can be assessed an intent-to-injure penalty and subsequently be ejected from the game. Had Price injured Palmieri on the play he would have been assessed a major penalty, an ejection and an automatic suspension pending further review from the NHL’s department of supplementary discipline.
Price was only assessed two minor penalties for roughing on the play.
“It seems to be the nature of the league; go to the net, run the goalie over and score a goal,” Price said. “You just gotta stick up for yourself once in a while.”
