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Bruins' Jones is penalized for hitting the linesman

Bruins' Jones is penalized for hitting the linesman

Boston Bruins forward Max Jones received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after accidentally knocking down linesman Devin Berg.

Jones battled with Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues out of the Bruins net. Rodrigues had his stick raised high and was resting on the Boston winger's shoulder. Jones was tackled and attempted to slash the bat, accidentally hitting the left arm of linesman Devin Berg, who had just come in to separate the two players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF9-_wpe8ww

Referees TJ Luxmore and Kelly Sutherland discussed the play and ultimately issued a minor penalty to Jones for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Although he did make contact with an officer, it did not appear to be an intentional act, as required by the physical abuse of officers rule:

Any player who intentionally uses physical force in any way against an official, attempts in any way to injure an official, physically humiliates an official, or intentionally uses physical force against an official for the sole purpose of getting away from such official during or immediately after an attack. Any altercation will be punished with a game-time disciplinary penalty

Since there was no penalty for physical abuse of referees in the game, there was no automatic ban. The same applies here: Since this is a coincidence, it is the right decision.

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