Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been handed a two-game suspension by the NHL for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel during Game 4 of their playoff series. This ban comes right after Ekblad`s return in Game 3 from a separate 20-game suspension for violating the league`s PED policy.
The incident took place in the second period of Monday night`s matchup. As Ekblad moved into the offensive zone along the boards and attempted to make a hit on Hagel, he raised and extended his elbow, making contact with Hagel`s head.
Hagel was injured on the play, though no penalty was called on the ice against Ekblad, who later scored the game-tying goal in the third period. Following a review, the NHL Department of Player Safety deemed the hit warranted supplemental discipline.
In their explanation for the suspension, the league stated the hit was “a direct blow to an opponent`s head with an extended elbow, delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline.”
The suspension means the Panthers will be without Ekblad for their next two contests. The Lightning will also be missing Hagel; coach Jon Cooper confirmed Hagel would miss at least Game 5, adding simply, “He`s not playing tomorrow, and you know why.”
This first-round series between the in-state rivals has been marked by controversial moments. Notably, Brandon Hagel himself was suspended for Game 3 after delivering a hard hit on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2.
For the Panthers, there might be a small advantage in knowing they can succeed against the Lightning without Ekblad. They won both Games 1 and 2 in Tampa while Ekblad was still serving his prior 20-game suspension.
Without Hagel, a key player who recorded 90 points in the regular season, the Lightning face the challenge of staving off elimination at home, as they currently trail the series 3-1.
