Panthers, Lightning combine for 4 ejections in 1st period of exhibition
The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning renewed hostilities Saturday, combining for four ejections in the first period of their preseason finale.
It was this week's second illustration of the bad blood between the Sunshine State rivals. Panthers forward A.J. Greer was fined for roughing Lightning winger Brandon Hagel in Thursday's contest but avoided suspension.
Saturday's rough stuff started with Scott Sabourin hitting and fighting Aaron Ekblad. Sabourin spent the majority of last season with the San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate.
Scott Sabourin RAN OVER Aaron Ekblad and then started throwing punches 😳 pic.twitter.com/TAMXJnozXM
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 4, 2025
Later in the opening frame, Carter Verhaeghe was tossed after boarding Zemgus Girgensons.
Now Verhaeghe lays a HARD hit on Girgensons and we got more rough stuff 🫨👊 pic.twitter.com/Pu8yEBMdeK
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 4, 2025
Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser was ejected for another questionable hit from behind.
THE PANTHERS AND LIGHTNING ARE AT WAR 😱🥊 pic.twitter.com/EQlFAnivXZ
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 4, 2025
Tampa Bay blue-liner Roman Schmidt was ejected as well for cross-checking.
The period featured 59 penalty minutes total. The Lightning and Panthers arguably have the NHL's most heated rivalry after meeting in the playoffs in back-to-back years. The Panthers won both series en route to the Stanley Cup, and last season's edition involved plenty of drama after Hagel was suspended for a hit on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov.
Both clubs kick off their regular seasons next week but won't cross paths until Nov. 15.