Marc-Edouard Vlasic fined for 'dangerous' use of stick at Erik Karlsson (Video)

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has fined San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic $5,000 “for dangerous use of the stick” towards Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The play happened at the 19:04 mark of the second period of their Wednesday game, a 4-3 shootout win by the Sharks. Karlsson and Vlasic were tangled up behind along the boards when Vlasic appeared to jab his stick up and into Karlsson.

After the play, Senators forward Kyle Turris went after Vlasic on the ice.

“I’m down in the corner, battling, and I lose my stick. The play is gone, and I’m reaching for it (stick), and he tries to pitchfork me in the face,” Karlsson said after the game. “And I’m lucky that I’m looking down, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s a dangerous play. It’s intentional.”

Added Karlsson, “I’ve got to give it to (Turris) for sticking up for me and I’m happy I didn’t lose my cool, or do something stupid, and I’m lucky that he didn’t hit me in a bad spot because that was hard.”

Vlasic saw the play differently.

“He grabs my stick, and I’m yanking it from him. … Why would you grab my stick? If you’re holding onto my stick, I’m grabbing it from you, and whatever happens,” he said. “I have no idea what happened. I just pulled it from and started skating, and I didn’t even know it was Karlsson.”

The next day, Karlsson was still upset over what happened and was hopeful Vlasic would receive some level of discipline.

“It’s a non-hockey play and it’s intentional and I’m lucky it didn’t hit me in a worse spot,” Karlsson said according to the Ottawa Citizen. “I’m fine and everything and for that I’m happy, but it shouldn’t happy and it could result in a bad injury.

“The play isn’t there. I’m picking up my stick and he tries to hit on my head and I’m lucky I’m wearing a visor.”

The monetary amount of $5,000 is the maximum allowed under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement with its players.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper