Neal Pionk, a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, threw a heavy cross-check on Johansson which saw him get smashed against the boards and then down to the ice, where he laid in pain. It looked like it was directly to the exposed area of the body on the side. ouch.
Watch it here:
Neal Pionk has been fined $5,000 for this cross-check on Marcus Johansson pic.twitter.com/DRIt6BCrVS
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 12, 2023
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has been fined $5,000, the maximum amount permitted under the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson during a recent game.
This left fans furious, with many believing he deserved a suspension for the action.
You guys suck at your job and don’t care about player’s safety.
— x – Brett Marshall 🎉 (@B_Marsh92) April 12, 2023
This should have been a suspension as well imo (from a jets fan)
— x – Dmo (@JetsPope) April 12, 2023
Are you kidding me
— OC (@Wildboys59) April 12, 2023
Neal Pionk Punished