Lightning's Brandon Hagel breaks silence on Aaron Ekblad's controversial hit - "It's as bad as it gets"

Lightning's Brandon Hagel breaks silence on Aaron Ekblad's controversial hit - "It's as bad as it gets"

Brandon Hagel had a 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs to forget.

Hagel Slams Ekblad For “Purposeful” Headshot

Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel is no stranger to the rugged nature of hockey, where every check and hit can swing the momentum of a game. After returning from a one-game suspension for his contact with Florida Panthers’ captain Aleksander Barkov, Hagel found himself a marked man. But it’s the dangerous nature of Aaron Ekblad’s retaliatory hit that left a bitter taste for Hagel and his teammates. Ekblad’s hit in Game 4 left Hagel with a concussion—an …

FHN Today: Hagel Rips Ekblad, says Head Hit ‘As Bad as it Gets’

FORT LAUDERDALE — Brandon Hagel had some harsh words for Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad during the Lightning’s clean out day on Friday. Hagel was injured during the second period of Game 4 on Monday night when Ekblad got Hagel in the head with an elbow. There was no penalty on the play although Hagel was slow to get up and skated directly to the room and did not return. Ekblad was later suspended two games for the hit and Hagel missed …