"Left winger Milan Lucic departed for Florida yesterday feeling lighter in the wallet but eligible to face the Panthers tonight at the BankAtlantic Center. Lucic was fined $3,500 after drawing a match penalty for his involvement in a third-period fracas during Thursday night's 4-1 victory against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Garden. "The NHL has informed us that Milan will not be suspended as a result of the match penalty assessed to him during our game against the Thrashers on Thursday," general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "He will be fined $2,500 for the punch thrown in the scrum and $1,000 for making an obscene gesture at the Thrashers bench. He will join the team on the flight to Florida for (tonight's) game against the Panthers." Lucic took a high hit to the face from Thrashers defenseman Freddy Meyer at 15:54 of the third. Before Lucic could respond from what he later termed a cheap shot, defenseman Andrew Ference pounced on Meyer and brought him to the ice. Lucic threw a punch at Meyer as he exited the pile and was issued a match penalty, a game misconduct and a minor for high sticking. "For me, all I needed to know was that he's not suspended," coach Claude Julien said. "For a coach you never want to see a guy suspended, and it's great to see he is going to be in our lineup." Lucic skated with the team yesterday at Ristuccia Arena before the NHL handed out its punishment." Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/bruins/view/20101227milan_lucic_fined_will_play_tonight/
