Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) skates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at BB&T Center. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers' Sam Bennett to have hearing for boarding Lightning's Blake Coleman in Game 1

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/17/21

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett will have a hearing for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning forward Blake Coleman in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

Florida’s Sam Bennett will have a hearing today for Boarding Tampa Bay’s Blake Coleman.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 17, 2021

The incident occurred during the third period when Bennett came from across the ice and checked Coleman into the corner boards after he had already gotten rid of the puck.

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

The play resulted in a two-minute minor for charging and the penalty shifted momentum in Tampa Bay's favor. Bolts forward Brayden Point scored on the ensuing power play to tie the game and he then scored the game-winner just under six minutes later.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper called Bennett's check on Coleman a "predatory hit," according to NHL.com's Brian Burns.

Bennett has not been suspended in his seven-year career. However, he received plenty of backlash in 2019 after a vicious hit on San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek.

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