For the first time in a while, the 2-time Stanley Cup champions are in a sticky situation. Not only were they just beaten by the Buffalo Sabres 3-0, but the loss also marked their 4th successive away defeat. The game was highlighted by Josh Doan’s two power-play goals and Alex Lyon’s 32-save shutout. But that’s not what became the biggest talking point. While Buffalo celebrated its second consecutive win after a rocky 0-3 start, the game was overshadowed by a dramatic on-ice incident involving Florida’s Brad Marchand.

It all went down when Rasmus Dahlin delivered a cross-check to Marchand in the second period. Before one could say “fight,” the altercation escalated with Marchand leaping on Dahlin and throwing punches whilst the defenseman was still doubled over on the ice. Marchand was swiftly handed two minutes each for interference and roughing, but as he left for the penalty box, he could be seen holding Dahlin’s helmet that he then vandalized by tearing off the straps and tossing it against the glass.

Naturally, the entire incident came under intense scrutiny by fans and by the league. And now, Marchand has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable amount under the current CBA, for “unsportsmanlike conduct for his actions during yesterday’s game against Buffalo.”

Right after the game, Dahlin stated, “He’s a competitor. I’ve probably done something like that in the past, too. Stuff happens out there.” In the aftermath, Buffalo’s Tage Thompson was also penalized two minutes for roughing Marchand. But Buffalo still had 2 minutes of power play that they capitalized on. To make sure that the defenseman could participate on the power play, Peyton Krebs lent Dahlin his helmet. Josh Doan scored 32 seconds in and extended Buffalo’s lead to 2-0.

The Sabres’ scoring also featured Owen Power’s first goal of the season at 14:20 of the second period. Doan’s opening goal, credited when a shot from Tage Thompson deflected off his leg, came at 7:13 of the first period. As though to rub salt in the wound, the Panthers also lost defenseman Niko Mikkola to an upper-body injury after a run-in with Sabres forward Tyson Kozak. With Florida missing forwards Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov due to injuries, the Panthers dropped to 3-4-0. Buffalo, in contrast, gained momentum with its second straight win.

Following this chaotic clash, Florida’s next challenge is waiting to unfold on Tuesday, October 21, in Boston, where Marchand spent 17 seasons before joining the Panthers and helping them secure back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. And such a chaotic moment involving Marchand has started to dominate the postgame conversation largely. And such an incident has left fans concerned, and they shared their two cents on their social media handles.

Fans slam Marchand’s $5,000 fine following wild Sabres-Panthers clash

One fan questioned the sufficiency of the $5,000 fine for Brad Marchand, suggesting that the current maximum under the CBA doesn’t adequately penalize the severity of actions like Marchand’s. The fan wrote, “Not so much this incident specifically, but if the players truly cared about safety, they’d modify the maximum allowable to be fined when the incident warrants it. These slap on the wrists do nothing. This was Marchy being a pain in the a**, nothing more.” They further implied that stricter consequences might better ensure player safety.

Another ice hockey enthusiast compared Marchand’s punishment to what it might have been if he were a former Bruin. Their take hinted at a perceived favoritism in taking up disciplinary decisions. “THAT’S IT?? If he was a Bruin you would have had him suspended one game or fined more. JOKE. Bettmans pets,” added the netizen. They referenced the two-minute penalties and the $5,000 fine, implying that Marchand’s past reputation or the perceived Panthers favoritism influenced the punitive actions taken.

One user echoed similar emotions and even expressed disbelief that Marchand’s actions did not result in a more severe penalty. Mentioning how the penalty seems inadequate to them, they wrote, “What a joke. He puts the clown suit back on and takes a helmet to the penalty box to tear it apart? Game misconduct. But he’s a Panther now, so whatever……..”

Another fan went on to refer to past events, mentioning Nazem Kadri’s suspensions linked to Brad Marchand. To share their take on the current matter, they traced it back to a history of controversial behavior. “Nazem Kadri was also suspended for 347 games because of Marchand’s actions”, wrote the fan. They also suggested that the current $5,000 penalty may not reflect the seriousness of Marchand’s actions on the ice.

Another X user sarcastically referred to the “Department of Panthers Safety,” criticizing Florida’s handling of the situation. They stated, “The Department of Panthers Safety outdoes itself.” And now, following such an incident, fans will be waiting to see how the Panthers respond in their coming games.