The Winnipeg Jets thought it was a good old-fashioned hip check, the kind you rarely see anymore. The NHL clearly disagreed, slapping defenceman Neal Pionk with a $5,000 fine for clipping, which is the maximum financial sanction allowed. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * The Winnipeg Jets thought it was a good old-fashioned hip check, the kind you rarely see anymore.
The NHL clearly disagreed, slapping defenceman Neal Pionk with a $5,000 fine for clipping, which is the maximum financial sanction allowed. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The Winnipeg Jets thought it was a good old-fashioned hip check, the kind you rarely see anymore. The NHL clearly disagreed, slapping defenceman Neal Pionk with a $5,000 fine for clipping, which is the maximum financial sanction allowed.
“It’s over, it’s done with. Moving on,” Pionk said Wednesday when asked about the incident for the first time. The veteran defenceman wasn’t penalized on the play, which happened in the third period of Saturday’s 5-0 loss in Florida and sent Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist flying.
Tony Gutierrez / The Associated Press files Neal Pionk: costly hip check. “I just tried to throw a check, that’s all,” said Pionk, who clearly had been coached not to add any further fuel to the fire. “I’d try to do it again.
You’ve got to be smart about it. I can’t take a penalty. Don’t want to take a penalty to pu.