Lightning’s Brandon Hagel to have hearing for hit on Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov
Some extra punishment looks to be in order of a recent act in the Battle of Florida.
On Friday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel will have a hearing for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov.
Barkov labored off the ice, mostly under his own power. However, the Finnish center seemed to be a little dazed after the collision.
As a result of the play, Hagel was given a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.
Thankfully for the defending Stanley Cup champions, the absence of their on-ice leader didn’t alter the course of the game, as the Panthers won the game 2-0, taking a 2-0 lead in this postseason edition of The Battle of Florida.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice didn’t give an update about Barkov’s status after the game. Barkov’s availability for Game 3 might not be revealed until the day of the contest. Playing without the team’s captain wouldn’t be anything new to Florida, as Barkov missed a few games earlier this month due to an upper-body injury.
Hagel has been known for his gritty game, which has made him an important piece for the Lightning since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022. The only time the 26-year-old has ever faced supplemental discipline was during the 2022 postseason, coincidentally against the Panthers. Hagel was fined $3,750 for bearing Cats forward Eetu Luostarinen in Game 3 of that series.
Tampa would go on to win that series on their way to a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Game 3 between the Cats and Bolts is set to take place in Sunrise on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for a little after 1 p.m. ET.
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