Fans and commentators are urging the NHL to take action after a brutal incident on Sunday night.
Things got really out of hand during a hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, two of the best teams in the Atlantic Division this season.
It was an exciting game full of goals and intense physical play from both teams, but one specific moment has led to a lot of criticism aimed at the NHL and the referees on duty.
HAGEL STARTS SWINGING ON DAHLIN MID PLAY AND CHAOS BREAKS OUT AGAIN!!!! 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/XvZFIffRMo
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 8, 2026
This troubling event happened in the second period when Lightning player Brandon Hagel attacked Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. Hagel threw several punches at Dahlin’s head without any response, yet he wasn’t kicked out of the game.
After the game, Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News publicly criticized the referees by name for not protecting Dahlin.
It’s really beyond belief Brandon Hagel is still in this game for his attack on Dahlin. That was basically assault. Terrible officiating there from Eric Furlatt and Brian Pochmara. #Sabres #TBLightning
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) March 8, 2026
“It’s unbelievable that Brandon Hagel is still playing after his attack on Dahlin,” Harrington tweeted on Sunday night. “That was basically an assault. The refereeing from Eric Furlatt and Brian Pochmara was terrible. ”
Although people might say Harrington, who reports on the Sabres, could be biased, he wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Josh Yohe, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Penguins, also called for the NHL to give Hagel a suspension for several games because of what happened.
Should be a multiple game suspension. How did he not get ejected?
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) March 9, 2026
“He should get a suspension for multiple games. How did he not get thrown out? ” Yohe questioned on Monday.
Should Hagel be suspended from the NHL, and if he is, how many games do you think he should miss? Share your opinions in the comments.
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