Fines Levied for Canadiens-Red Wings Brawl

Mar. 23, 1965 - Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL, has levied fines totaling $1,075 against members of the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings who left their benches to take part in a brawl during a March 13 game at the Montreal Forum.

Montreal right-winger Claude Larose (pictured), one of the first off the bench and a main participant in the skirmish that followed, was fined $125. His opponent, Doug Barkley, was not fined. Nine other Canadiens and 10 Red Wings were each fined $50.

Under league rules, players leaving the bench to take part in a fight are subject to an automatic $25 fine. Campbell, however, has the power to increase the levy, as he did in this case.

The fight came in the final seconds of play in a game won by Montreal, 4-2. It started when Detroit defenseman Doug Barkley belted Canadiens left-winger Dave Balon with a hard check at center ice, sending Balon flying with a shoulder injury from which he is still recovering.

With Balon flat on the ice, players from both teams poured from their respective benches and began a general scrum. Only Larose, with some help from Montreal defenseman Terry Harper, and Barkley got into a bona fide fistfight.

Both Harper and Barkley were on the ice at the time the skirmish broke out and thus were not included in the fines. Harper pinned Barkley’s arms during the fight.

Campbell, in a brief statement, said it was clear to him that the trouble would have been averted had it not been for the fight between Larose and Barkley.

“Under the playing rules, Larose must be held responsible because he came off the bench,” Campbell added.

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