NHL fans stunned at Brad Marchand punishment after he ripped rival’s helmet apart during on-ice brawl

FANS have been left stunned at the punishment handed to Brad Marchand after he ripped apart a rival’s helmet.

The Florida Panthers got into an on-ice brawl with Rasmus Dahlin during the clash against the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.

Sign up for the Sport newsletter

Thank you!

Brad Marchand had a brawl with Rasmus DahlinCredit: MSG Network

He then destroyed Dahlin’s helmet in the penalty boxCredit: MSG Network

Dahlin, 25, appeared to start the skirmish with a shove in the back of the Canadian skater.

Marchand, 37, then saw red and went for the Swede with a brawl, seeing them wrestle on the ice.

The Panthers’ left winger was eventually sent to the sin bin by the referee but took a trophy of the fight with him.

He was seen skating off the ice holding the helmet of Dahlin and started ripping it apart as he sat down in the penalty box.

After tearing the straps off he then angrily threw it back onto the ice for his rival to collect.

Although the helmet was not in a usable state and Dahlin had to be lent one by teammate Peyton Krebs.

As a result, he was forced to sit in the box for two minutes for interference and two minutes for roughing.

Fans were stunned by the moment and believed that he should have had a harsher punishment as they reacted on social media.

One posted: “At a minimum, this should have merited an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. That the refs continue to let him slide should be all you need to know.”

A second wrote: “How he only gets four minutes for all of this is insane.”

A third commented: “Should have got five minutes for getting his panties in a knot.”

A fourth said: “Marchand should get one game suspension.”

Another added: “He should be fined for that.”

However, many did get their wish as Marchand has since been fined by the NHL.

Dahlin had to borrow a helmet to continue the gameCredit: MSG Network

He has since been fined $5,000 by the NHLCredit: Getty

The star will have to pay $5,000 due to his “unsportsmanlike conduct”.

The fine is a maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The money will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Dahlin held no hard feelings after the match when he was interviewed.

He said: “He’s a competitor.

“I’ve probably done something like that in the past, too. Stuff happens out there.”

Dahlin could leave the game with his head held high as the Sabres finished the victors.

Josh Doan scored twice as Owen Power also got on the scoresheet as they defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champions at the KeyBank Center.

The result leaves the Panthers with their fourth loss in a row ahead of their next game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.