Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev was fined $5,000 for roughing against Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Friday.
The incident happened in the third period when Sergachev sucker-punched the face of Garland during a scrum in front of the Lightning net. There was no call on the play.
Garland told reporters that Sergachev waited for him after Thursday's game to make sure he was OK and to explain the punch.
"It hurt at the time, but I was fine," Garland said on Friday. "I've played like a rat since I was 16, so I'm used to it."
The Lightning went on to beat the struggling Canucks, 5-4.
Sergachev was selected ninth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 before being traded to the Lightning in 2017 as part of a package that sent Jonathan Drouin to the Canadiens. The 24-year-old was part of the back-to-back Stanley Cup winning Lightning roster.
In 36 games with the Lightning this season, the blueliner has six goals and 24 points.
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