Habs Defenceman Xhekaj Fined For Unsportsmanlike Conduct After Attack On Leafs Forward Paré | CBC Sports

Hockey

he NHL has fined Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj $3,385.42 US for unsportsmanlike conduct against Toronto forward Cédric Paré during a pre-season game Saturday in Montreal.

Docked maximum $3,385.42 US for punching Paré several times in retaliation to knee-on-knee hit on LaineThe Canadian Press

· Posted: Sep 29, 2024 2:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj throws a punch at Maple Leafs forward Cédric Paré during Toronto’s 2-1 pre-season win on Saturday in Montreal. Xhekaj’s actions came shortly after Habs forward Patrik Laine left the game with an injury after a knee-on-knee hit from Pare. (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press)The NHL has fined Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj $3,385.42 US for unsportsmanlike conduct against Toronto forward Cédric Paré during a pre-season game Saturday in Montreal.

The amount is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NHL Players’ Association, and the money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Xhekaj was assessed a minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct at 4:43 of the first period after he grabbed Pare and hit him with several punches.

Xhekaj’s actions came shortly after Canadiens forward Patrik Laine left the game with an injury after a knee-on-knee hit from Pare.

Pare was not assessed a penalty for the hit.

The Maple Leafs won the game 2-1.