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Prust fined $5K for ‘baseless and demeaning’ Watson comments

Ottawa Senators v Montreal Canadiens - Game Two

Ottawa Senators v Montreal Canadiens - Game Two

NHLI via Getty Images

Montreal forward Brandon Prust has been fined $5,000 by the NHL for remarks made about referee Brad Watson following the Habs’ 6-2 loss to the Lightning on Sunday.

“Prust’s post-game comments were both baseless and demeaning of a referee whose 20-year career in the League has been marked by professionalism, integrity and a high degree of respect from players, coaches and management,” said NHL senior VP of hockey operations Colin Campbell.

Following Sunday’s game -- in which he racked up 31 penalty minutes -- Prust let loose and accused Watson of dressing him down in the first period after he took a roughing penalty:

Prust’s comments were criticized by Habs head coach Michel Therrien.

“I’m old school with those things,” Therrien said yesterday, per the Canadian Press. “I’m a true believer that what’s in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room, what’s on the ice and comments should stay on the ice. And we’ll take care of that internally.”

Prust apologized today, telling reporters he wished he could take back what he said, and that what he said was due to emotion.