The National Hockey League (NHL) announced that it imposed a $100,000 fine on the Toronto Maple Leafs organization on Wednesday for violating travel rules included in the collective agreement.
According to the agreement between the Bettman circuit and the Players Association, it is forbidden for a team to travel on December 26.
However, according to what reported the Sportsnet network, the team from the Queen City took the road to St. Louis at 10:30 p.m. on Boxing Day, to face the Blues there on Tuesday.
Since the flight from Toronto to St. Louis can take up to two hours, the Leafs determined that spending the night in Missouri was more beneficial than getting there in the early hours of Dec. 27.
It was a costly day for the Toronto organization. Head coach Sheldon Keefe was fined $25,000 for his behavior towards the officials during the game between his squad and the Blues. The coach briefly commented on the situation.
“Listen: it’s possible to get emotional during the game. I am competitive like anyone else. But when the game is over, especially when you get the two points, you don’t think about it too much,” Keefe said, still according to Sportsnet.
The Maple Leafs won 5-4 in overtime. William Nylander played heroes in overtime. Morgan Rielly is back
After a month out with a knee injury, Morgan Rielly will be able to return to action in Thursday’s next game against the Arizona Coyotes.
“I’m happy to be back with the guys. It’s been a long month, I feel like,” Rielly admitted of his recovery from his accidental collision with Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders in November.
Without their star defenseman, the Maple Leafs went 12-2-1. “They played exceptionally well and it was fun to watch them. The guys accepted more responsibilities and they played extremely well,” said number 44.