Avalanche forward Ross Colton fined $5K for cross-checking Devils’ Meier

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Wednesday.

The fine stems from Colton’s cross-check to the face of New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier on Tuesday night.

Colton initially drew a two-minute minor for boarding Devils defenceman Luke Hughes, but added a five-minute major for cross-checking Meier, who caught a glancing blow to his face from Colton’s stick. Colton also drew a game misconduct on the play.

The Avalanche won the game 6-3.

The fine is the maximum allowable amount under the collective bargaining agreement.

— With files from The Associated Press