The NHL has handed down suspensions to two Tampa Bay Lightning players following their actions in a pre-season game against the Florida Panthers. Forward Scott Sabourin received a four-game suspension, while defenceman J.J. Moser was suspended for two games. The NHL also imposed fines on the Lightning organization and head coach Jon Cooper.
In response to the suspensions, the Lightning recalled six players from their AHL affiliate in Syracuse, NY, for the game. These players accumulated a total of 77 penalty minutes during the match, with five of them receiving match penalties, misconducts, or game misconducts.
Sabourin will forfeit $16,145.84, with Moser losing $35,156.26 due to their suspensions. Sabourin will serve his suspension once called back from Syracuse, where he was sent on Monday. Sabourin’s match penalty for targeting Florida defenceman Aaron Ekblad early in the game set the tone for a penalty-heavy matchup with a total of 65 penalties, 13 game misconducts, and 312 penalty minutes.
Moser’s suspension stemmed from a boarding incident involving Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist during the same game. The game’s high penalty count led to confusion on the ice, with Florida’s Niko Mikkola mistakenly credited with an assist despite being ejected earlier in the period.
The chaotic game prompted Florida forward Evan Rodrigues to comment that it devolved into a situation that was not representative of hockey. Sabourin and five other players were called up by Tampa Bay for the game following a previous pre-season matchup that also saw a high number of penalties.
Despite Ekblad leaving the game after Sabourin’s hit, he is expected to return to play when the Lightning kick off their season against the Chicago Blackhawks.
