Video: Tampa Bay HC Jon Cooper Calls Out Florida's Sam Bennett for 'Predatory Hit'

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers played what some are calling the hockey game of the year on Sunday as game one was entertaining as hell. It was high-flying and physical as can be, and it hasn't taken long for some bad blood from the regular season to boil over. So much so, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper called out Panthers forward Sam Bennett for his hit on Lightning forward Blake Coleman.

The play happened just over halfway through the third period as the Panthers held a 4-3 lead. Bennett delivered what Cooper is calling a 'predatory hit' and received a two minute penalty for his actions, which resulted in the Lightning's Brayden Point scoring to tie the game. Sure enough that gave Point all the momentum he needed for the rest of the night as he scored the game-winner on a breakaway with a minute left.

As for Bennett, he's been everything as advertised since arriving in the Sunshine state and he's known to play on the edge throughout his career. This hit however, Cooper was not a fan of....

Awful hit by Bennett on Coleman that is worthy of a major penalty. Charging + boarding. Only gets two minutes.. pic.twitter.com/Arg2Qz6gRx
— NHL Safety Watch (@NHLSafetyWatch) May 17, 2021