Brad Marchand boils over in third period and pays the price with game misconduct

Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand was ejected from Game 1 of the playoff series versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Tuesday evening of the third period it happened. Marchand got into a brawl with Hurricanes defender Shayne Gostisbehere following a furious incident.

The Panthers were already leading the game. The fight ended with both players getting penalties, but Marchand also received a game misconduct and had to leave the ice early.

Brad Marchand and Shayne Gostisbehere clash after puck shot sparks tension

The trouble started when Shayne Gostisbehere fired a puck straight at Marchand from across the ice. It looked like he did it on purpose. Marchand got angry and went after him. They grabbed each other and wrestled down to the ice before the referees stepped in.The officials gave both players roughing penalties after discussing it. Brad Marchand, meanwhile, received game misconduct and had to depart the remainder of the game.

Shayne Gostisbehere later said Brad Marchand tried to “take a run” at him and admitted he fired the puck at him on purpose. He said he was angry and wanted to send a message. Brad Marchand, known for being a tough and fiery player, did not hold back either.

It was clear these two were not getting along.Also Read: Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final Tickets: Matthew Tkachuk And Sergei Bobrovsky Ride For The NHL Glory

Panthers stay quiet while focus shifts to Game 2

After the game, the Panthers didn’t say much about the fight. Forward A.J. Greer said he had “no comment.” He added that the playoffs are tough, and sometimes things happen. He said the team just wants to keep playing hard and focus on the next game.Head coach Paul Maurice was also quiet about it. When reporters asked for his thoughts, he said, “I’ve got one,” but wouldn’t share it.Brad Marchand might not face any extra punishment for the fight. In the last series, Maple Leafs player Max Domi hit Panthers star Aleksander Barkov hard, and the league didn’t suspend him. Since that hit was worse than what happened between Brad Marchand and Gostisbehere, many think Marchand will be allowed to play in Game 2.The Panthers ended up winning Game 1, and the focus now is moving to the next battle. But with this new tension between Marchand and Gostisbehere, Game 2 could get even more physical.