Evan Rodrigues' wallet is getting a bit lighter.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Sunday that the New Jersey Devils forward was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable, for high-sticking Vancouver Canucks forward Marco Rossi on Saturday.
The incident occurred late in the second period as both players were lined up for a faceoff at centre ice. Rossi nudged Rodrigues, who responded by pushing his stick into Rossi's chest.
Rodrigues was given a double minor for high-sticking on the play.
Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra told reporters after the game that he disagreed with the officials’ explanation for the penalty not being called a major for spearing. He did not elaborate on what the officials told him after reviewing the call.
