Five for combat!
In the closing minutes of Monday’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Florida, a Tampa Bay Lightning fan engaged in a fight with a Panthers mascot.
Viral video footage from the game depicts an unnamed Lightning supporter attacking Viktor E. Ratt, prompting the Panthers to investigate the incident.
In the video, a man in a blue t-shirt grabbed Viktor E. Ratt’s jersey after the mascot threw the fan’s garment into the throng and pulled it over his head.
The fan then shoves his furious opponent against a glass partition while an arena usher and another employee see the incident.
One of the mascot’s handlers eased the situation as the man retrieved his discarded jersey and exited the seating bowl.
Some Twitter users suspected that the incident was staged due to the inaction of Panthers and FLA Venue staff, as well as the absence of Florida police and arena security.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida said, citing a Panthers spokesman, that the incident was not faked and the organization is investigating.
Slater also noted that “The mascot’s normal handler was absent” on Monday, and the team has not informed Sunrise Police.
Monday’s game was the arena’s first hockey event since Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game.
Viktor E. Ratt is the Panthers’ second mascot; he was unveiled in October 2014, 21 years after the team was founded and their original mascot Stanley C. Panther was presented.
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