Linus Ullmark punished for hitting Tampa’s Eyssimont with stick
Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark wasn’t able to escape a high-sticking incident without punishment.
NHL Player Safety announced Wednesday that Ullmark has been fined $5,000, which is the maximum allowable amount under the CBA. The incident occurred during the Bruins’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Lightning on Tuesday night. As Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont crashed the net, he drove his shoulder through the side of Ullmark’s head, and Ullmark reacted by chopping his stick downward and making contact with Eyssimont’s helmet.
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Eyssimont avoided a penalty at the time, and has yet to receive any possible supplemental discipline, which won’t make Bruins fans happy. But Ullmark did clearly hit Eyssimont in the head with his stick, an act that tends to speak for itself. Watch the video below via the Boston Globe’s Conor Ryan:
Linus Ullmark and Kevin Shattenkirk are not thrilled with Michael Eyssimont. pic.twitter.com/TXzPkfPISx
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 14, 2024
Eyssimont clearly threw a shoulder directly through Ullmark’s head, and Ullmark really just grazed Eyssimont’s helmet. But there’s no justification for swinging your stick anywhere near a guy’s head. It’s just odd that Eyssimont escaped the entire thing with nothing.
If either Ullmark or Eyssimont caused actual head injuries, then the punishments certainly would’ve been worse. This is probably a case where both players deserve a little something from Player Safety, but the department seems to believe only Ullmark was in the wrong here.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
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