Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is set to have a hearing for his hit on Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Game 4 in Sunrise Monday night.
Ekblad landed a hit to the head and neck area of Hagel, who fell directly on his back with around 8 minutes left in the second period. Ekblad was not penalized and Hagel did not return to the game.
The Panthers defenseman later went on to score, with Florida winning 4-2 and taking a 3-1 series lead. This was Ekblad’s second game back after returning from a 20-game suspension for violating the league’s performing enhancing drug program.