NHL Fines Neal Pionk $5,000 for Hit

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk has been fined $5,000 by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for clipping Florida Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist during a recent game. The incident occurred at 14:36 of the third period in the Jets' 5-0 loss to the Panthers, with Pionk's hip check causing Boqvist to spin and fall to the ice. While Pionk received a 10-minute misconduct penalty, he was not penalized for the hit itself. This fine is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement and will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Pionk, who has three goals and 14 assists this season, has been a key player for the Jets, while Boqvist has recorded three goals and two assists for the Panthers. The loss dropped Winnipeg's record to 15-3 on the season.