Scott Gomez fined by NHL for elbow to Canadiens' Emelin
Forward retaliates after hit from Montreal defenceman
New Jersey Devils centre Scott Gomez has been fined $1,478.49 for a major elbowing penalty against Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin.
The NHL announced the fine on Saturday, less than 24 hours after Gomez was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for his second-period hit in the Devils' 3-2 shootout win.
The fine is the maximum allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Gomez elbowed Emelin after the defenceman knocked him off his feet while he tried to reach a puck behind the Canadiens' goal line. Gomez fell hard to the ice, got up and then elbowed Emelin about 10 seconds later as a whistle stopped play.
Gomez refused to say whether he felt Emelin's hit was a cheap shot.
"It's a hockey game and whether I did or not, it was yesterday and the focus is on tonight," Gomez said before the Devils faced the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Gomez's elbow led to a scrum, and the right side of his nose was black and blue on Saturday.
Gomez played on the Canadiens in 2011-12 with Emelin, calling him a "great guy." He labeled the incident a "hockey reaction."
Gomez has been a pleasant surprise for the Devils this season. The 35-year-old came to camp on a tryout basis and was eventually signed to a contract on Dec. 1. He has seven goals and 24 assists, the second highest assist total on the team entering Saturday's game.