NHL stuns with ridiculous punishment on Casey Cizikas after scary scene in Chicago

The NHL refuses to send a message.

On Tuesday night, New York Islanders’ forward Casey Cizikas received a five-minute goaltender interference major and game misconduct after a heavy collision with Chicago Blackhawks goalie Alex Stalock.

On Wednesday, he was informed by the NHL player safety department that he will only face a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Goalie Interference on Stalock.

The scary scene occurred less than three minutes into the first period. Stalock stopped Cizikas’ backhander as the forward cut in off right wing, but he kept coming without slowing down.

Cizikas collided hard with the defenceless netminder, who was propelled into the right post of his own net. Stalock was sprawled on the ice for a couple of minutes, but skated to the bench afterwards, leaving the game to go straight into the concussion protocol.

He was replaced by Arvid Soderblom. Fans still await a clearer update on Stalock’s condition. The Blackhawks also had no choice on Wednesday to sign goalie Dylan Wells to a one-year NHL contract, with Soderblom the only healthy NHL goalie left...

The Blackhawks are already without top goaltender Petr Mrazek, who has a groin injury. By losing Stalock on top of that, Chicago has lost a lot early in the 2022-23 season, way more than what Cizikas’ wallet will lose for this dangerous play…