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Greg Wyshynski
Friday evening, the winger of Tampa Bay Lightning Brandon Hagel was suspended by the NHL players’ security department for what he labeled “an extremely energetic bodily control to an without mistrust” who injured the captain of the Panthes of Florida Aleksander Barkov.
Hagel will miss the match 3 of Saturday in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers lead the 2-0 series.
Towards halfway through the third period of match 2 on Thursday, Tampa Bay was being powerful while dragging 1-0. Barkov put pressure on the defender Ryan McDonagh at the bottom of the lightning area. With the washer clearly in front of Barkov, Hagel aligned him for a huge blow that sent the captain of the panthers on the ice and beating the end boards.
A penalty was whistled and the officials conferred before calling a “five -minute penalty”. After examination, Hagel received a major 5 minutes for interference. Barkov left the match with 10:09 am to play in regulation and did not return to the 2-0 victory of the Panthers.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after the match that he didn’t expect Hagel to receive a major penalty.
“The referees make the call. I was a little surprised that it was a five, but it was,” he said.
The NHL ruled that Hagel had established “a little contact with the head” on Barkov.
“It is important to note that Barkov is never in possession of the washer on this game and is therefore not eligible to be verified in any way,” said the League.
During the hearing on Friday, held at a distance, Hagel argued that he had approached the room by providing that Barkov would play the washer. But the players’ security ministry said he was on Hagel to make sure Barkov was eligible to be checked. He also determined that the blow had a “sufficient force” for an additional discipline.
This is Hagel’s first suspension in 375 regular season games and 36 playoffs. He was sentenced to a fine of Eetu Luostarinen in Florida in May 2022.
Panthers organized an optional skate on Friday. Coach Paul Maurice said Barkov “had not yet been excluded” but “has not been authorized” for match 3.
“He is an irreplicable player,” said Panthers defender Seth Jones about Barkov. “One of the best centrmen in the league. It is super important for our team.”
The Lightning loses Hagel while they have trouble scoring in the series; They scored two goals in match 1 and were excluded in match 2. Tampa Bay was the most score team in the regular season (3.56), Hagel contributing 35 goals and 55 assists in 82 games.
