Florida Panthers defenceman Ben Chiarot has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowed, for head-butting Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton.
The incident occurred midway through the second period of Tuesday's Game 1. As the two players battled in front of the net, Colton fell to the ice. After getting back to his feet, Colton cross-checked Chiarot in the arm and Chiarot responded with a cross-check of his own. The officials blew the play dead and as a scrum began to form Chiarot can be seen directing a headbutt towards Colton, making contact with the Lightning player's head.
Both players were given two-minute penalties for cross-checking on the play and the teams then skated four-on-four.
The incident comes one week after Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse was suspended one game for head-butting Kings centre Phillip Danault. In a video explaining the decision to suspend, the Department of Player Safety called the play "unacceptable" and added that the fact Nurse had been suspended once before factored into the decision.
The Lightning and Panthers will continue the Battle of Florida Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet, SN NOW and CBC.
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