The Florida Panthers are under fire from fans after Luke Kunin dropped the gloves against New York Rangers rookie Adam Sykora. Fans are calling the fight a “bum move.”
Adam Sykora has had a strong start to his New York Rangers career. The Slovak forward was called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack three games ago and has already scored two goals.
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Luke Kunin fought Adam Sykora
On Sunday, he also recorded his first penalty minutes in the NHL. Late in the first period, he dropped the gloves with Panthers forward Luke Kunin. Kunin, who has played over 450 NHL games, delivered a hit on Sykora, who responded with a cross-check. Kunin then initiated a fight, and Sykora answered as best he could before being taken down. Both players received five-minute major penalties.
The Rangers went on to win the game 3–1, but afterward, both the Panthers and Kunin faced heavy criticism. Fans argued that it was a cowardly move to go after a rookie who is not known for fighting.
Fans call out the Panthers
“Imagine going after a rookie. What a f*cking bum. Stay in your bus league,” one fan wrote on X.
“Ohh I’m so tough—I go after a rookie and beat him when he’s not even fighting back,” another fan commented.
“Jumping someone is so cowardly, then punching him while he’s on the ground. Another Panthers goon,” a third wrote.
“Typical Florida bullsh*t,” a fourth added.
“Picked a fight with a rookie non-fighter—real tough guy,” a fifth fan chimed in.
Both the Panthers and the Rangers are out of the playoff race, with the Rangers even being mathematically eliminated. Next, they will face the Senators and the Devils, respectively.
You can watch the fighting incident below.
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