Arizona Coyotes forward Liam O’Brien was punished for a particular action against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 18.
The NHL Department of Player Safety fined O’Brien $2,018.23 for roughing Canucks forward Sam Lafferty.
Lafferty started the scuffle by shoving Lawson Crouse who was trying to complete a line change onto the Coyotes’ bench.
Taking exception to the situation, O’Brien defended Crouse by dropping his gloves and connected multiple punches on Lafferty.
However, Lafferty did not attempt to fight back before the officials stepped in.
As a result, O’Brien has been fined the maximum amount for him instigating under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This total will go towards the NHL’s Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
O’Brien is currently the most penalized player with 105 minutes in the box. He is only nine away from his career high, 114 last season.
On the offensive side of the puck, he has three goals, four assists and seven points in 43 games so far this year.
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