NHL Fines Panthers Forward Sam Bennett for Brutal Cross Check

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is now $5000 lighter in his pocket book as the pesky forward was fined the maximum amount by the NHL for his vicious cross check to the side of the head of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting.

Bunting and Bennett were mixing it up all game and the two got tangled up in front of the net, resulting in Bunting eating some lumber. Bennett has turned into a enemy #1 in Toronto as he also took out rookie Matthew Knies behind the net earlier in the game, resulting in Knies leaving with a potential concussion. His status for Game 3 is up in the air at this point.

George Parros gave an interview this year where he seemed to be offended at the suggestion that his department has become more lenient. But Bennett, a guy who has two suspensions on his record (including one playoff suspension) only getting fined after last night is a chefs kiss.
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 5, 2023

Leafs Nation is pissed off and they may have a case. Auston Matthews was suspended two games for cross-checking Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres in the side of the head, meanwhile Bennett only gets fined. The lack of consistency among the NHL and player safety this season has been a joke. Here's what all the fuss is about:

Sam Bennett has been fined $5,000 for this cross-check on Michael Bunting during Game 2.

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/0WbmQoP5VU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2023

Sheldon Keefe says the Sam Bennett cross-check on Michael Bunting is "eerily similar" to the one that earned Auston Matthews a two-game suspension last season (against Rasmus Dahlin in the Heritage Classic).
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 5, 2023