Florida Panthers Sam Bennett Suspended For Hit on Blake Coleman

The NHL has announced Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has been suspended one game for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Blake Coleman during game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Florida’s Sam Bennett has been suspended for one game for Boarding Tampa Bay’s Blake Coleman. https://t.co/sQgkaojSGh
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 17, 2021

The play happened during the third period of Sunday's game which you can see Bennett skate across the ice and target Coleman from a mile away. Lightning coach Jon Cooper called the Panthers forward out for his actions and even went as far as saying it was a 'predatory hit'.

Bennett will sit for game two, and considering his production since his arrival via trade from the Calgary Flames, this is going to have a big impact on the game. The Panthers will need to rally around Bennett's departure and try to avoid losing both home games and having the series head to Tampa down two.

Here's the hit sees Bennett sit for one playoff game:

🚨🚨🚨Breaking News: #FlaPanthers Sam Bennett has been suspended 1 game for his boarding hit on #GoBolts Blake Coleman. pic.twitter.com/TnueJkDtAa
— Hockey Hound (@HockeyHoundShow) May 17, 2021