Panthers’ Ekblad to have hearing, Mikkola fined for boarding after Game 4 hits
Aaron Ekblad will be getting a call from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety following his actions in Game 4.
Aaron Ekblad will get a call from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety following his actions in Game 4.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos was first to report that Ekblad will have a phone hearing for a high hit he delivered on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel during Florida’s 4–2 win on Monday night.
Midway through the second period, Ekblad caught Hagel with his forearm to the chin. No penalty was assessed on the play, and Hagel did not return to the game after heading to the team’s locker room.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday that Hagel will not play Game 5.
It was Hagel’s first game back after serving a one-game suspension for a hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2.
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Meanwhile, Florida’s Niko Mikkola was also disciplined Tuesday, receiving a $5,000 fine — the maximum allowable under the CBA — for boarding Tampa Bay’s Zemgus Girgensons.
Mikkola was ejected early in the third period after his hit on Girgensons, who was down on his knees at the time.
The Panthers lead the series 3-1 with Game 5 set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
