Panthers forward Nick Cousins threw a dirty hit on Erik Gudbranson today in the 3rd period of their matchup. All hell broke loose after the play. <h2>Chaos Breaks Out After Cousins Make Dirty Hit On Gudbranson</h2> The play came early in the 3rd period with the panthers leading. The play was going behind the Blue Jackets net when Cousins decided to lay a hit squarely on Gudbranson's numbers as his back was towards the ice. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/heatdaddy69420/status/1733940143487422921'> </a></blockquote></div> Initially, Cousins was given a major penalty for the play but it was later reduced to a minor penalty. <q>Here's the hit by Nick Cousins on Erik Gudbranson that was originally ruled a major but then reduced to a minor penalty. #CBJ</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CobyMaeir/status/1733941228754895252'> </a></blockquote></div> After both player's penalties expired, Gudbranson made a beeline for Cousins and proceeded to throw punches. He made it absolutely clear what he thought of the hit. In the aftermath Gudbranson earned a game misconduct. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/JGallant789/status/1733945955257356554'> </a></blockquote></div> Gudbranson actually picked up the penalty hat trick on the play as he got a minor for instigating, a major for fighting, and a game misconduct. The play likely would have been avoided if the referees stood with their initial call of a major penalty. As seen on <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/news/Erik-Gudbranson-snaps-after-the-referee-refuses-to-eject-Nick-Cousins-for-dirty-hit?fbclid=IwAR0rLWCw-RnaqUrh738G-QA1noOMNRCbwP_nsv4y8vRk7Z9rkY5yBWwkuy0' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Erik Gudbranson snaps after the referee refuses to eject Nick Cousins for dirty hit</a>