Michael Del Zotto and Tomas Kopecky Each Fined $2,500

[VodkaFish]

NEW YORK – New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto and Florida Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky have been fined $2,500 apiece, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for their respective actions during an altercation in NHL Game No. 553 in Sunrise, Fla., on Friday, Dec.30, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 19:52 of the third period. Del Zotto was assessed a minor penalty for high sticking. Kopecky was assessed a match penalty for punching an unsuspecting opponent.

The fine money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

[duda.radek]

Better than a suspension.

[slashtrey]

Nothing to Rupp? This is awesome.

[SirYohans]

Originally Posted by slashtrey

Nothing to Rupp? This is awesome.

Kopecky - Fined $2,500
Del Zotto - Fined $2,500
Rupp - Given major kudos

[Orr=God]

perfectly done

[Wadubbin]

To me the fines are crap.Everything was taken care of on the ice.Del Zotto crosschecks Kopecky in the head.Kopecky drills Del Zotto from the blindside,and then Rupp comes over and pummels Kopecky..End of story.The way it should be done.

[hi_from_ca]

The fines are nothing to these guys, it's just the leagues way of saying "bad boys" and docking their allowance a nickel. No big deal.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Kopecky was assessed a match penalty for punching an unsuspecting opponent.

I'm sorry...but if you deal 3 or 4 crosschecks to someone..including one to his face...and "expect" to not get cold cocked...yer an idiot. Del Zotto got served what he ordered.

[Redzilla]

Originally Posted by PhlyerPhanatic

I'm sorry...but if you deal 3 or 4 crosschecks to someone..including one to his face...and "expect" to not get cold cocked...yer an idiot. Del Zotto got served what he ordered.

Yes, I probably would have done the same if I got crossed checked in the face but I would also expect someone to put a beat down on me for cold cocking another player in the face. I can’t speak for everyone but I believe it is the act of Rupp performed as the enforcer that is being applauded. Another reason to keep enforcers in the league.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Originally Posted by Redzilla

Yes, I probably would have done the same if I got crossed checked in the face but I would also expect someone to put a beat down on me for cold cocking another player in the face. I can’t speak for everyone but I believe it is the act of Rupp performed as the enforcer that is being applauded. Another reason to keep enforcers in the league.

I'm not disputing that fact. Rupp did his job..kudos to Rupp. The explanation from the league is beyond laughable though. Not that that should shock anyone.

[ARCTICCAT24]

Good job Rupp, you beat up a soft, visor wearing European. You're tough dude.

[slashtrey]

Originally Posted by ARCTICCAT24

Good job Rupp, you beat up a soft, visor wearing European. You're an enforcer dude.

Are enforcers only allowed to beat up other enforcers? Other guys who throw sucker punches should be allowed to walk free off the ice? If this was not a time to earn his money as an enforcer, then I don't know what is.

[DARCY T]

Originally Posted by slashtrey

Are enforcers only allowed to beat up other enforcers? Other guys who throw sucker punches should be allowed to walk free off the ice? If this was not a time to earn his money as an enforcer, then I don't know what is.

im probably in minority on this but i disagree.would it be enforcing or ok in next game if some panther will beat del zotto for what he did?del zotto and kopecky are both equally soft players and they traded eye for an eye

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by ARCTICCAT24

Good job Rupp, you beat up a soft, visor wearing European. You're tough dude.

If you don't like Rupp that's one thing, but I don't get what your problem is with this. Fighting in hockey as it should exist is to help deter players from taking liberties on the ice. Rupp watched one of his team's top players get sucker punched in the face, and he responded. That's textbook enforcing. It's not about proving himself to be tough, it's about doing his job, which he did to perfection.

Originally Posted by DARCY T

im probably in minority on this but i disagree.would it be enforcing or ok in next game if some panther will beat del zotto for what he did?del zotto and kopecky are both equally soft players and they traded eye for an eye

In my personal opinion, if the Panthers felt strongly about what Del Zotto did as a cheapshot to one of their skill players, than I would have zero problem with someone going after Del Zotto. But I don't think that high-stick/cross-check was all THAT terrible, so I doubt the Panthers are harboring a grudge against him, they've moved onto Rupp for doing his job.

[Killah_punk]

Originally Posted by ARCTICCAT24

Good job Rupp, you beat up a soft, visor wearing European. You're tough dude.

So should Scott not of beat up Engelland cause he has 6 inches and 56 lbs on him? What Rupp did was text book enforcing, just like what Scott did, and McQuaid on Torres. When it comes to enforcing and policing no player should be safe if he's going to play like a bitch. It least that's how it should be and get rid of the instigator too!