The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has fined Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin $11,021.51, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for his illegal check to the head of Buffalo Sabres forward Brian Gionta.
The incident occurred during the third period of Buffalo’s 2-1 win over Montreal Friday night.
Emelin and Gionta were teammates for three seasons in Montreal.
The money Emelin was fined goes to the players’ emergency assistance Fund.
The Sabres and Canadiens play the second half of their home-and-home tonight in Montreal.