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Lightning's Brandon Hagel suspended for hit on Panthers' Aleksander Barkov
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- Lightning's Brandon Hagel suspended for hit on Panthers' Aleksander Barkov
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel was suspended for one game on Friday for his hit that caused Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov to leave Game 2 of their playoff series.
Hagel's hit happened about midway throughout the third period of Thursday's 2-0 Florida victory against the Lightning. Hagel was assessed a five-minute major for interference, though not a game misconduct, on the play.
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The NHL Player Safety department said in a video that Barkov was never in possession of the puck and was not eligible to be checked. It said Hagel "still intentionally delivers an extremely forceful body check to an unsuspecting opponent."
Barkov went to the dressing room and did not return. Coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Barkov hasn't been ruled out for Game 3, but also hasn't been cleared. He had no comment on the hit.
Barkov, who had two assists in the series opener, is one of the Panthers ' top scorers. He has won the Selke Trophy twice as the NHL's top defensive forward.
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Hagel ranked second on the Lightning in scoring during the regular season with 90 points. He has been held without a point in the playoffs.
The Panthers lead the first-round series 2-0. They next play Saturday at home and will get back defenseman Aaron Ekblad , who has finished serving a 20-game PED suspension .
Senators, Nick Cousins fined for unsportsmanlike conduct
The NHL fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000 and Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct during pregame warmups before Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs . Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said Cousins had shot the puck toward Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz , his former teammate, during warmups.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Hagel hit on Barkov leads to suspension, injury update
