The preseason game of hockey is always full of a frenzy of action and suspense. It’s out there, with prospects fighting for every inch of ice, hoping to get the coaching staff’s attention before the first night team is set. However, it took Washington Capitals forward Andrew Cristall too far to be called a fire lately when he took on an aggressive approach in a heated game against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was during the second period that the 21-year-old forward got carried away, and the NHL Department of Player Safety had a very quick response.
It began when Philadelphia defenseman Hunter McDonald was able to drive the Capitals’ forward, Ryan Leonard, as he got into the boards. Seeing his teammate take a hard hit, Cristall immediately decided to step in and play the role of protector. Unfortunately, his response involved raising his stick high and delivering a direct cross-check right to McDonald’s upper body and face area. That sudden lash of frustration instantly sparked a messy scrum along the glass as the Flyers rushed to defend their guy. The ice-time officials didn’t bat an eye and slapped Cristall with a five-minute major and a game misconduct to send him to the locker room.
This was reviewed by the league, and the full amount was settled at $2,250.86 in fines for Cristall on the hit. While that figure might sound surprisingly specific to casual fans, it actually represents the absolute maximum allowable fine under the Collective Bargaining Agreement based on his current daily salary. For a young player who spent last season showing off his offensive prowess in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, paying out over two grand for a split-second lapse in judgment is certainly a stingy reminder of how thin the line is between playing with edge and crossing the line.
In the end, it’s a learning experience for a young prospect learning to make an impression in the big leagues. In any NHL room, loyalty to teammates and the act of defending the person next to you is always appreciated, but taking reckless penalties that are detrimental to your team and your wallet is never appreciated by the coaching staff. Getting a pass is a godsend for Cristall’s training camp, but he’ll be required to bring that same fiery productivity to his game from now on if he’s going to be a permanent fixture in Washington.
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