Ex-New York Rangers Defenseman Niko Mikkola Faces Massive Suspension Just Days Before Opening-Night
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Former New York Rangers defenseman faces a massive suspension following a brutal game on Saturday night between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Niko Mikkola who is a former Rangers defenseman, now currently a defenseman for the Florida Panthers is facing a massive 10-game suspension following his actions on Saturday during a wild game between the Panthers and Lightning.
During Saturday's game, fans seen a total of 312 penalty minutes be assessed along with 16 ejections. One being former Ranger Niko Mikkola, who went on to help the Panthers score despite being ejected.
Niko Mikkola Faces Automatic 10-Game Suspension For His Actions
As a result of still playing in the game after being ejected, the NHL rule states that a player will be handed a 10-game suspension.
Any player who has been ordered to the dressing room by the officials and returns to his bench or the ice surface for any reason before the appropriate time shall be assessed a game misconduct and shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next ten (10) regular league and/or play-off games.
At this moment the NHL Department of Player Safety still hasn't made any ruling on the incident. However, they did hand out a few fines to several Tampa Bay Lightning players.
NHL has issued multiple fines from last night's Florida-Tampa game, all to the Lightning:
• Roman Schmidt ($2,098.52) for cross-checking
• Gage Goncalves ($3,125) for cross-checking
• Janis Moser (boarding) and Scott Sabourin (roughing) will have hearings
• Roman Schmidt ($2,098.52) for cross-checking
• Gage Goncalves ($3,125) for cross-checking
• Janis Moser (boarding) and Scott Sabourin (roughing) will have hearings
Certainly something that should be monitored closely as the NHL rule book states it should be an automatic suspension, and with the Florida Panthers already missing their captain Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, a 10-game suspension for Niko Mikkola is the last thing they need.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
TRENDING NOW
