A tense NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens ended in drama on Sunday. Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola was fined $5,000 after firing a hard slapshot at the end of the game, sparking a scuffle between both teams. The fine was announced by NHL Player Safety and is the maximum allowed without a hearing.
What Happened in the Final Seconds?
The incident happened with just two seconds left in the game. The Canadiens were winning 4-2 and had already started skating back towards their goalie to celebrate. But out of nowhere, Mikkola launched a slapshot from his own defensive zone. The puck flew high, forcing Montreal player David Savard to duck for safety.
This action didn’t go down well with the Canadiens players. They rushed toward Mikkola, and a small fight broke out after the final whistle. Players like Jayden Struble, Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher, and Savard all tried to confront Mikkola.
On-Ice Chaos and Penalties
Linesman Julien Fournier had to escort Mikkola to the Panthers bench, but even then, tensions didn’t cool down. Mikkola and Struble kept shouting at each other while heading to the locker room. Mikkola ended up getting a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-minute misconduct for his actions.
The fine of $5,000 will go to the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps players in need. This amount is the highest fine possible without requiring a formal hearing under the league’s rules.
Panthers vs Canadiens: A Growing Rivalry?
This game added more fuel to the growing tension between these two teams. They’re scheduled to play again on Tuesday in Montreal. So far this season, the Canadiens have had the upper hand, beating the Panthers all three times and outscoring them 11-3. Despite being lower in the standings, Montreal has managed to get the better of Florida in every match.
Fans will definitely be watching closely to see what happens when these two teams meet again. With emotions already running high, it could be another heated game.
Niko Mikkola’s $5,000 fine highlights how things can get out of hand in high-stakes games. While emotions are a natural part of sports, actions like these can lead to serious consequences. With another Panthers vs Canadiens match just around the corner, the spotlight will be on both teams to see if cooler heads can prevail this time. Fans can expect an intense showdown with both pride and points on the line.
