Chara Fined $5,000 For Cross-Checking Gallagher

Another Boston Bruin has been disciplined by the NHL Department Of Player Safety. Four days after Bruins rookie defenseman Jeremy Lauzon was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head in the Bruins’ 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes last Saturday, captain Zdeno Chara has now been fined $5,000 for a cross-check to the neck of Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher 5:38 into the second period of the 4-1 win over the Canadiens Wednesday.

Per the NDPS:

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher during NHL Game No. 877 in Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 12, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

 The incident occurred at 5:38 of the second period. Chara was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking.

 The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Chara and Gallagher went at it prior to a faceoff and the Bruins rearguard let his frustrations get the best of him laying the lumber on Gallagher. Chara received a two-minute minor for cross-checking and Gallagher got two minutes for roughing. Thankfully for the Bruins, they will have their captain in the lineup when they host the Red Wings Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. 

#NHLBruins Zdeno Chara cross-checks #Habs Brendan Gallagher in the face.
Cross checking to Chara
Roughing to Gallagher pic.twitter.com/HavudhmhUJ

— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) February 13, 2020

In 22 seasons and 1,541 games in the NHL, Chara amazingly only has one blemish when it comes to supplementary discipline. In 2005, while playing for the Ottawa Senators, he was suspended one game for fighting Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tim Gleason in the final two minutes of a game. 

The Bruins captain has five goals and eight assists in 56 games this season.