Coyotes gets slap on the wrist for the same infraction that earned Auston Matthews a 2-game suspension last season

In yesterday's game between the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators, Coyotes forward Clayton Keller was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a cross-check to the face of Erik Brannstrom.

After the whistle had been blown, Keller aggressively struck Brannstrom in the throat with a high cross-check. With intent, Keller was aggravated and responded in retaliation. With this in mind, it looked like a clear-cut multi-game suspension was coming his way. Today, Keller was given a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for "Cross-checking". The fine ensures that Keller surprisingly avoids a suspension for the violent act.

This play looks relatively familiar, doesn't it? Jogging back to last March, Leafs forward Auston Matthews found himself in a similar situation in the Heritage Classic game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres. If you recall, Matthews received a two-game suspension for cross-checking Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Aside from not only Leaf fans, many fans of the game need help to understand the thought process behind the decision of a $5,000 fine here. The two plays are nearly identical; one resulted in a two-game suspension, and the other a small fine for basically the same act.

There is clearly a lack of transparency and zero consistency when handing out punishments. It's hard to wrap your head around Keller not receiving, at minimum, a game, let alone just a $5,000 fine for an intentional hit to the head. Simply put, there has to be a level of consistency that is met. If not, players can continue to get away with dirty plays like this, which is a significant problem in the NHL.

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