Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton was given a five-minute major and game misconduct after he cross-checked New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier on Tuesday.
The play began after Colton hit Devils rookie defenceman Luke Hughes hard into the boards on the forecheck. Meier engaged Colton to stick up for his teammate, which is when Colton raised his stick and cross-checked Meier in the face.
Colton was also given a two-minute minor for boarding Hughes. Hughes briefly left the game but did return.
According to Rule 59.5, as pointed out by Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, any player who receives a five-minute major for cross-checking will automatically also get a game misconduct.
Meier scored on the power play that followed Colton’s penalty to tie the game 2-2, but former Devil Miles Wood scored on a short-handed breakaway to put the Avalanche up 3-2 just 41 seconds later.
