Watergate 2.0 - Shawn Thornton fined $2.8K for spraying Subban in Game 5
Bruin enforcer Shawn Thornton has been fined $2820.52, the maximum under the CBA, for what the NHL has deemed "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he sprayed P.K. Subban with water late in the third period of Boston's 4-2 win in Game 5 Saturday night.
The number is about half of what Thornton earns for a day's pay.
Thornton was not assessed a penalty on the play.
Many thought, as did I, Thornton had sprayed Subban when the whistle blew to stop play at 41 seconds when the Canadiens went offside. Subban skated over to the Boston bench and right to Thornton where the two jawed at each other for a quick second.
Turns out, Thornton actually sprayed Subban with the water during the run of play when the Habs' defenseman skated past the Boston bench with the puck, hence why Subban wheeled back around to the bench after the whistle blew.
After the game, Subban explained his side of the story:
A minute-and-a-half, Subban? Really. More like seven seconds.
Expect Montreal coach Michel Therrien to give a subtle shot at the lack of sportsmanship on the part of the Bruins in his sleazy, snarly way.
Bruins coach Claude Julien has already given his word on the matter, speaking today to reporters:
It was a silly move from Thornton, as it was totally unprovoked and unnecessary. That being said, the moment, along with Milan Lucic flexing at Subban during the second period, proved two things: one, the Bruins reestablished their swagger for the first time vs the Canadiens (and not unsurprisingly played their best game in the series) and two, it's more of what makes this rivalry the greatest in the NHL.
We get two more talking points for both sides to ratchet up the hate that much more.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
[quotes via ESPN.com]
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| Right here! Subban pleads his case on Watergate 2.0 to referee Eric Furlatt (via ESPN.com) |
The number is about half of what Thornton earns for a day's pay.
Thornton was not assessed a penalty on the play.
Many thought, as did I, Thornton had sprayed Subban when the whistle blew to stop play at 41 seconds when the Canadiens went offside. Subban skated over to the Boston bench and right to Thornton where the two jawed at each other for a quick second.
Turns out, Thornton actually sprayed Subban with the water during the run of play when the Habs' defenseman skated past the Boston bench with the puck, hence why Subban wheeled back around to the bench after the whistle blew.
After the game, Subban explained his side of the story:
With Thorty, I don't know if it was him, but someone had squirted water twice at the end of the game in my visor and I couldn't even see for a minute and a half. I was pretty upset about that, but that is part of the game.
A minute-and-a-half, Subban? Really. More like seven seconds.
Expect Montreal coach Michel Therrien to give a subtle shot at the lack of sportsmanship on the part of the Bruins in his sleazy, snarly way.
Bruins coach Claude Julien has already given his word on the matter, speaking today to reporters:
As a coach, you always want to support your players, but there are certain things you can't support and I don't think I can support Shawn on those actions. We don't like seeing our players do that. Whether he got caught up in the game, or whatever, to me he's got to own up to it and that's all I'm going to say about it.
It was a silly move from Thornton, as it was totally unprovoked and unnecessary. That being said, the moment, along with Milan Lucic flexing at Subban during the second period, proved two things: one, the Bruins reestablished their swagger for the first time vs the Canadiens (and not unsurprisingly played their best game in the series) and two, it's more of what makes this rivalry the greatest in the NHL.
We get two more talking points for both sides to ratchet up the hate that much more.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
[quotes via ESPN.com]
