NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The NHL eliminated the punishment on Monday after the Florida Panthers and the rivalry of Tampa Bay Lightning increased a level during their last preseason game.
Lightning Scott Sabourin’s eave was suspended by four games and the defense JJ Moser received a prohibition of two games for their shares in the game on Saturday night. The NHL also fined the Lightning Organization $ 100,000 and chief coach Jon Cooper received a fine of $ 25,000.
CLICK HERE for more sports coverage at Foxnews.com
The right wing of Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin (46) and the defense of the Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad, to the right, the exchange blow during the first period of a NHL hockey preseason game, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo AP/Lynne Sladky)
The chaotic confrontation saw the referees call 65 penalties for 312 minutes, including 13 game behaviors. Tampa Bay committed seven in the game and six were called to Florida. The Panthers received 17 power opportunities, according to the NHL.
The players began their march towards the sins container when Sabourin went after the Panthers star, Aaron Ekblad. Sabourin received an important penalty after playing only 19 seconds.
The game became a spiral from there when the referees tried to control things. Florida’s eighth goal was canceled after the defense of the Panthers, Niko Mikkola, was attributed an assistance. He had already been expelled before in the third period.
The ESPN MLB analyst says that there are ‘Zero Chance’ who is watching the NHL coverage of the network during playoff baseball
The right wing of Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin (46) and the defense of the Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad (5) fight during the first period of a NHL hockey preseason game, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo AP/Lynne Sladky)
Florida won the game, 7-0. Chaos occurred after the two teams annulled 49 penalties and 186 minutes in an previous preseason contest.
“I think anyone who has been part of this rivalry would probably look at this box score and A, would not be surprised and B, I can’t believe it has taken so long for something like that happens,” Cooper said on Saturday.
The Panthers striker, Evan Rodrigues, added that the game “became stupid at the end.”
“It wasn’t really hockey out there,” he added.
The defense of the Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Ala Scott Sabourin (46) falls to the ice during the first period of a NHL hockey preseason game, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo AP/Lynne Sladky)
It seemed to be a snack for what the regular season will bring. Florida and Tampa Bay will play each other four times from November 15.
Florida enters the season as the two -time defenders of the Stanley Cup.
