Panthers, Lightning combine for 13 ejections in exhibition

The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning renewed hostilities Saturday, combining for 13 ejections in a penalty-filled 7-0 Panthers win.

Four ejections occurred in the first period, starting with Scott Sabourin hitting and fighting Aaron Ekblad, who didn’t seem interested in an altercation. Sabourin spent the majority of last season with the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate.

Later in the opening frame, Carter Verhaeghe was tossed after boarding Zemgus Girgensons.

Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser was ejected for another questionable hit from behind.

Tampa Bay blue-liner Roman Schmidt was ejected in the first period as well, and the chippiness persisted until the final buzzer. The teams combined for 312 penalty minutes.

Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola assisted on a third-period goal that made it 8-0, but the tally was called back as he’d unknowingly taken the ice after being assessed a game misconduct, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Saturday marked this week’s second showcase 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.

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.