Oilers Forward Disciplined By NHL For Unsportsmanlike Conduct

It was certainly a frustrating night for the Edmonton Oilers. But forward Zach Kassian took things a bit too far, in the NHL's eyes, when he refused to let Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram get out of his grasp on the Oilers bench. Kassian has been fined $2,500—not the maximum allowable under the CBA—for ripping off Byram's helmet. 

Zack Kassian was just given a penalty for ripping Bowen Byram’s helmet off from the bench.

Yeah, you read that right. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/dq12BIyI7S

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 3, 2022

Byram had been checked into the Oilers bench, and Kassian decided to impede Byram's attempts to rejoin the play, by grabbing his head and extricating his headgear. Kassian was handed a minor, but somehow, Byram got suckered into taking one as well for retaliating. 

It's the second time during the playoffs that Kassian has drawn the ire of the NHL's Department of Player Safety. 

The Oilers were already down 3-0 after an avalanche of Colorado goals in the 2nd period. The final was 4-0, and the Avs now lead the Western Conference Final 2-0 as the series heads to Alberta for Games 3 and 4. 

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports