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Who says there is no real animosity between the rivals from the Sunshine State?
The Panthers and Lightning, battling for the newly minted Governor's Cup this season, met up for their second go-round this season on Sunday in Sunrise. It was mid-way through the second period that things got weird.
After the Panthers were called for offsides, Lightning defenseman Radko Gudas hit the ice right in front of the Panthers bench right on the blue line. Seconds later he stood up and took a swing at the Panthers' bench, snapping his stick and earning himself a minor penalty as well as a game misconduct.
At first it seemed like Gudas simply snapped. He has a little history with the Panthers as it is and perhaps he just lost his temper for a quick second. Turns out he was provoked. The provocation? A squirt of water from Scottie Upshall on the Florida bench.
Upshall and the Panthers didn't get away with it, though; the Panthers were assesed a minor to their bench as well for the play and a 4-on-4 followed.
Talking/chirping from the bench to players on the ice? Happens often. What doesn't happen often is a player squirting an opponent with his water bottle. As harmless as the act is, it's not going to be something anybody will take well, Gudas isn't the only one who would have reacted like that.
