Feb 26, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith (2) lays on the ice in front of San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) after being injured during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Red Wings won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture was fined $5,000 by the NHL for slew-footing Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith during last night’s contest. The NHL Player Safety department announced the fine on their Twitter feed earlier today.
San Jose's Logan Couture has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slew-footing Detroit's Brendan Smith.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 27, 2015
The $5,000 fine is the maximum allowed under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. The incident occurred at 16:03 of the third period when both players were battling in front of the Detroit net. Each player was assessed a penalty on the play: Smith for hooking and Couture for tripping.
Smith was helped off the ice and did not return for the remainder of the game. Detroit beat San Jose 3-2 as the Sharks fell three points back of the final playoff spot.
Couture is second on the Sharks with 53 points (21 goals and 32 assists) and this is the first fine of his career.
The Sharks return to the ice tomorrow night against the Ottawa Senators.