The Florida Panthers have launched an investigation following an altercation between the team’s mascot and a Tampa Bay Lightning fan.
The Lightning fan and mascot tangled during Florida’s 7-1 win over Tampa Bay on Monday.
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A general view of the exterior of the FLA Live Arena is seen before the start of the NHL All-Star Skills competition on February 3, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The fan pulled the mascot’s jersey over his head after the mascot threw a Lightning jersey into the crowd.
After the mascot was dangling over the railing, the fan put the defenseless mascot in a headlock and yelled «Go Bolts» to the booing crowd, despite being six goals down.
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Security and the pet’s caretaker do not intervene, which led many to believe that it was a setup. However, that is apparently not the case, and the Panthers have confirmed that an investigation of Fox News Digital is underway.
After the two parted ways, the Lightning fan got the jersey back. It is unknown what led to the two becoming entangled.
A general view of the court before the game between the Florida Panthers and the Seattle Kraken at FLA Live Arena on November 27, 2021 in Sunrise, Florida. (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers mascot Viktor E. Ratt gathers his rat friends for a quick prayer of thanks for their 9-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at FLA Live Arena on January 15, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida . (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
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It was the first game for both teams coming out of the All-Star break that occurred at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, the home of the Panthers.