Florida Panthers defenceman Niko Mikkola spent the majority of the third period in the locker room after he was ejected from Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mikkola was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons. The incident happened just 19 seconds into the third, when Mikkola checked an already-down Girgensons into the end boards.
Girgensons appeared shaken up, but did remain in the game.
It's not the only controversial hit laid in the contest. Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad laid a heavy hit on Lightning's Brandon Hagel in the second period, injuring the Tampa Bay forward, who did not return to the game. Ekblad was not penalized for the hit.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.