Florida Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg has been suspended one game and head coach Andrew Brunette was fined $10,000 following a wild game against state-rival Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday.
In a statement, the NHL said the suspension and fine were the result of Lomberg “instigating a fight during the final five minutes” of the game, which the Lightning won 8-4.
With the score out of reach Lomberg received an instigating penalty (a two-minute minor plus a five-minute major for fighting and 10-minute misconduct) for a fight with Tampa’s Erik Cernak at 16:24. Lomberg was also given an additional game misconduct while teammates Jonathan Huberdeau and Mason Marchment were given 10-minute misconducts.
In all, the two teams combined for 90 penalty minutes in the game.
“The playoffs are like on steroids to what we saw tonight,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after the game. “You’ve got to be ready and games like this help you.”