The temperature of the Bruins’ 4-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday was already on the rise in the final seconds when Mark Kastelic approached Emil Lilleberg, looking for a hit after Tampa defenseman had passed the puck way.
Lilleberg readied himself and cross-checked Kastelic in the face before both players dropped their gloves with 2.5 seconds left for a late fight.
Kastelic landed a few early jabs, but Lilleberg ducked under a right hand and Kastelic lost his balance. Lilleberg shoved him to the ice and kept shoving Kastelic when he was on the ice.
Kastelic looked a little wobbly as he skated off, while the referees went to the monitor to review the play.
While it didn’t affect the game give the score and the time, Lilleberg was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking, another for fighting and a game misconduct for 20 minutes of total penalties. He could face a fine or suspension from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
“Kasty was just finishing a check and he got cross-checked in the face,” Bruins coach Joe Sacco said.
His teammates were upset afterward.
“It was a pretty cheap cross-check I thought,” Bruins forward Morgan Geekie said. “We’re not too happy about that.”
Kastelic received just the major for fighting. The teams play again on Tuesday at TD Garden.
