Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar didn’t agree with the misconduct handed to Ross Colton in the 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 7, 2023. Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton was issued a fine of $5,000 for a cross-check to New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier in Tuesday night's game, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday. The money collected for the fine goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The play developed after Colton was called for boarding Devils defenseman Luke Hughes at 10:44 into the second period. He was assessed a two-minute minor and as he skated away from the incident, Colton lifted his stick which made contact with Meier. The officials then called a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct. "Knew he was going to hit me, I was going to hit him, and unfortunately, my stick got up and caught him," Colton told media after practice Wednesday. "Hope he's ok — that's not my game. It was unfortunate, it was definitely a penalty. Not the way I want to play." Head coach Jared Bednar didn't quite agree with the decisions made on the ice and said as much following the 6-3 win against New Jersey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avs-top-line-earns-5-points-wood-notches-2-in-6-3-win-over-devils]. "It's what he does — it's a reaction play to me. I didn't think that deserved a five," Bednar said. Colton took full responsibility for his actions and said Bednar and he discussed the incident but his physical play is part of his game. "We want to play hard, we want to play physical, that's kind of our identity. Just can't be taking penalties like that," Colton said. Cale Makar and Miles Wood didn't comment on the hit and the calls but Bednar broke down the play as he interpreted it. Watch his full comment in the video above.
