Jamie Benn Fined $2,604.17 for Game 5 Cross-Check
Jamie Benn was fined $2,604.17 by the NHL after his Game 5 cross-check on Ryan Hartman in Tuesday’s playoff series meeting. The penalty was the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and it came after Minnesota’s 4-2 win pushed the Wild ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven first-round series.
Jamie Benn and Ryan Hartman
At 14:48 of the third period, Benn cross-checked Hartman in the back and then the neck before tackling him to the ice. On-ice officials assessed Benn a cross-checking minor and gave Hartman an unsportsmanlike conduct minor.
The fine gives the incident a formal ending on the financial side, but it does not change the series score. Minnesota still controls the matchup after winning Game 5, and Dallas now has to respond in Game 6 with the deficit sitting at one game.
Wild Game 5 Advantage
The Wild’s win changed the pressure points of the series. A 3-2 lead in a playoff matchup narrows the margin for Dallas, while Minnesota enters Thursday with a chance to close out the first round at home.
Game 6 was slated for 6:30 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena. That setting matters more because Minnesota may also be dealing with Jonas Brodin’s status after he left Game 5 with a foot injury.
Jonas Brodin and Game 6
Brodin blocked a shot from Mikko Rantanen with his foot in the second period, went down the tunnel and did not return. After the game, he was spotted with his foot in a medical boot and using crutches.
Wild coach John Hynes said Wednesday he did not have an update on Brodin, and he expected to know more Thursday morning before Game 6. If Brodin cannot play, Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry would be the likely replacement.
