Panthers' Sam Bennett fined $5,000 for roughing Penguins' Drew O'Connor
The NHL's department of player safety has fined Florida Panthers' forward Sam Bennett $5,000 for his hit on Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Drew O'Connor. The money from the fine, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, goes to the players’ emergency assistance fund.
Florida’s Sam Bennett has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for roughing Pittsburgh’s Drew O'Connor.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 4, 2025
The 'roughing' happened during the dying minutes of the third period of Friday's matchup, which led to the Penguins tying the game 2-2 on the ensuing man advantage. Bennett, 28, has appeared in 38 games this season, scoring 13 goals, 27 points, and has collected 47 penalty minutes.
This isn't the first time Bennett's been in hot water for a high hit where he winds up punching someone in the face, as remember when he knocked out Boston Bruins' forward Brad Marchand in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs? These hits look awfully similar....
Sam Bennett with a costly penalty that leads to Pens tying goal 😬
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 4, 2025
Pittsburgh commentators compare the play to Bennett's punch on Marchand in the playoffs 😳 pic.twitter.com/AZsP0yeu4H
🚨 New angle just dropped of Sam Bennett punching Marchand in the face 🚨 pic.twitter.com/fL8dNXWeR7
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 12, 2024
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
