WATCH: Blue Jackets’ Erik Gudbranson SNAPS at Panthers’ Nick Cousins in retaliation, ignites ugly altercation between players

Erik Gudbranson and Nick Cousins fight stole the spotlight in the Blue Jackets-Panthers game as both players landed heavy hits on each other.

WATCH: Blue Jackets’ Erik Gudbranson SNAPS at Panthers’ Nick Cousins in retaliation, ignites ugly altercation between players

Erik Gudbranson attacking Nick Cousins (Pic Credit: X)

The hockey rink of the NHL witnessed another huge fight and ugly altercation as things got heated up during the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers game. Defenceman Erik Gudbranson seemingly snapped at forward Nick Cousins in retaliation following his previous hit.

The game on Sunday was filled with action with the intensity levels up in the sky. During this matchup, Cousins would land a heavy hit on the defenceman, sending him crashing down the board. Gudbranson would go down and suddenly rise up. However, he was not rising up to continue the game, but rather attack his opponent and jumped on him.

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The Blue Jackets man did not let the hit slide aside and tried to give his opponent a piece of his mind. He would push Cousins at the wall which would see him fall down. Soon an ugly altercation broke down between the players resulting in punches being exchanged and a few pulling off sweaters (jerseys).

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Though Gudbranson failed to land any hits on Cousins at this instant, he gave him and all the others a warning of what could happen if they messed up with him. Check out the footage of the incident that is going viral on social media leaving the fans stunned below:

Erik Gudbranson to have hearing from NHL Player Safety department for ugly altercation

The game between the Florida Panthers and the Columbus Blue Jackets turned into an ugly fistfight when Nick Cousins got into a tangle with Erik Gudbranson. Following the earlier hit in the back, Gudbranson would attack him again and take him down, and throw several punches. For this incident, he was ejected from the game. The player will now have a hearing for his altercation with Cousins from the NHL Player Safety department.

Erik Gudbranson
Erik Gudbranson (Pic Credit: AP)

The defenceman was ejected for instigating a fight during the third period. For his actions, the referees would assess him with a 27-minute penalty. The NHL Player Safety announced that this hearing will be conducted under rule 46.2 (Aggressor).

Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent though was not too pleased with the official ruling. He would defend Gudbranson and claim that Cousins should have been assessed with a five-minute penalty first.

Gudbranson is a heart-and-soul kind of guy. He's vulnerable, facing the boards. We believe it was a five-minute (penalty on Cousins). If that call happens, that thing doesn't happen.
Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent on official ruling on Nick Cousins through Sportsnet.

It will now be interesting to see what the NHL Player Safety Department says in this ruling. Further actions could be taken against Gudbranson for his actions in this game following this hearing.

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