Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson has been suspended one game for a one-sided fight against Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins.
Gudbranson went after Cousins in retaliation for a hit earlier in the period. With both players pursuing the puck deep in the Columbus zone, Cousins drove Gubranson into the boards from behind. The Blue Jackets’ defenseman popped up after the hit and went after Cousins, who refused to engage.
Cousins initially received a major penalty for boarding; the penalty was reduced to a two-minute minor after review.
Later in the period, both players came together along the boards. Gudbranson threw Cousins to the ice and delivered a series of punches. Cousins again refused to engage, covering his head until the officials stepped in.
Gudbranson was ejected from the game, picking up a minor for instigating, five for fighting, and a misconduct penalty.
“That’s a bad hit,” Gudbranson said. “If that hit takes place three feet before that, I end up going down and bending my neck. That’s when you get a compression fracture, and who knows how the rest of your life is?”
The Blue Jackets’ blueliner was a bit more accepting of his one-game ban.
“The rule is the rule,” he said. “I got one game for it. Take it and move on.”
Gudbranson forfeits $20,833.33 in salary as a result of the suspension.
Referees for the game were Tom Chmielewski (#18) and Carter Sandlak (#29), with linesmen Joe Mahon (#89) and Derek Nansen (#70).
