Panthers' Bennett to have hearing for boarding Lightning's Coleman
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett will have a hearing Monday to answer for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Blake Coleman during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday night.
Bennett received a minor penalty for charging in the third period of Florida's 5-4 loss after he checked Coleman into the boards from behind, presumably in response to Coleman's hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
Blake Coleman catches Barkov late.
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) May 17, 2021
Sam Bennett comes back and rocks Coleman pic.twitter.com/y4m2F2NATs
Lightning forward Brayden Point scored on the ensuing power play and then potted the winner less than six minutes later with 1:14 remaining.
Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper called Bennett's hit "predatory" postgame but added he was pleased the club converted with the man advantage.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.