The NHL has fined St. Louis Blues forward David Perron $5,000 for cross-checking Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri, the league said Tuesday.
The incident took place in the second period of Game 4. After Kadri landed a hit on Perron near the Blues bench, Pavel Buchnevich, another St. Louis player, took exception to the exchange and cross-checked Kadri down to the ice. As Kadri attempted to get up, Perron lunged forward, sent another cross-check into Kadri from behind, and proceeded to pile on top of him as the referees attempted to break up the scrum.
Buchnevich was given a two-minute penalty for roughing, while Perron was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking.
“We were just trying to create a spark,” Perron said, when asked about his actions. “We need more fight in our group. We need more guys, I think, just creating a spark or whatever is required during the game.”
The Avalanche failed to capitalize on the ensuing 5-on-3 power play, but Kadri notched his second of the game shortly after, making the score an insurmountable 4-1.
As he found the back of the net, Perron took another run at Kadri, this time narrowly missing him with an elbow.
“Lose your cool, and we’ll make you pay,” the Avalanche star said after the game.
The altercation Perron initiated marked a dangerous moment in a series that has increasingly revolved around Kadri — for his on-ice brilliance, and for what he has endured away from the rink.
In the wake of colliding with Jordan Binnington in Game 3 on Saturday, which injured the Blues goaltender and ruled him out for the series, someone threw a water bottle at Kadri during a TV interview. Kadri has since said he thinks it was Binnington.
Since the collision and subsequent water bottle incident, Kadri has been subjected to numerous threats and callous comments on social media.
The NHL said it was investigating threats made toward Kadri on Monday and the St. Louis Police employed enhanced security procedures at Kadri’s hotel and the Blues’ arena ahead of Game 4.
On Tuesday, Kadri’s wife, Ashley, took to Instagram to share screenshots of racist messages he and his family had received over the past 48 hours, calling the collection of messages “just a small example” of the comments they’ve endured.
“Great game tonight, very proud of Nazem,” she wrote. “But I wanted to shine light on what the last 48 hours has looked like for us as a family.”
“This is just a small example. There are many more. This behaviour doesn’t belong in sports, or anywhere. If you are not condemning racism, then you are tolerating it,” she also pleaded.
Kadri himself has used his own platform to raise awareness.
“People need to be aware that this stuff still happens, and it’s hurtful,” he said following Monday’s game.
The NHLPA also released a statement on Tuesday condemning the hateful comments directed at Kadri and his family.
“The comments recently direct at Nazem Kadri online have no place in our society. Notwithstanding fans’ rooting interests during the highly competitive playoffs, such racist, hate-filled speech directed at anyone is completely unacceptable. Nazem and his family should never be subjected to the comments they have endured this week,” the association wrote.