NHL Makes Decision On Chiarot Punishment For Head-Butt

Florida Panthers defenseman Ben Chiarot had received a decision from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his head-butt on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton in Game 1 of the Battle of Florida. The good news for the Panthers is that Chiarot will not be suspended. The bad news for the 30-year-old is that his wallet will be a little lighter. 

Panthers' Ben Chiarot has been fined $5,000 for head-butting Lightning forward Ross Colton.#GoBolts | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Pij0ggdBIu

— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) May 18, 2022

Chiarot has been fined $5,000 for the head-butt—which came after he and Colton were assessed cross-checking penalties on the play. Chiarot will be available to play in Game 2 on Thursday night. 

Chiarot was acquired by the Panthers from the Montreal Canadiens in a March deal ahead of the trade deadline.

It's the second head-butting incident in the early stages of these playoffs. The first one did draw a suspension, for the Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse, as his was clearly a more aggressive and violent move. 

Photo Credit:  Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports