Rangers fan from Staten Island punches Lightning fan after MSG loss

He’s going to a penalty box — but it won’t be at MSG.A hot-tempered Rangers fan from Staten Island was banned from Madison Square Garden for life Friday after he cold-clocked a Tampa Bay Lightning fan from Massachusetts — then punched a good Samaritan who tried to stop him from skating off, police and stadium officials said.Wearing a red shirt with Artemi Panarin’s No. 10 emblazoned on the back, James Anastasio had just watched the Rangers fall to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 during game five of the Eastern Conference matchup Thursday night.Anastasio was exiting the stadium at about 10:45 p.m. when he was captured on video turning and sucker-punching a 26-year-old man in a Tampa Bay jersey walking behind him, police say. The Lightning fan fell backward, unconscious and surrounded by dozens of stunned hockey fans.“He’s dead. He died!” one man says on the viral video as Rangers fans stop to help the floored victim and scream for security.A good Samaritan who saw the attack followed Anastasio in an attempt to stop him, but the Staten Island brawler punched him in the face too, leaving him with a minor injury, cops said.Police were called to the scene and charged Anastasio with two counts of assault and two counts of harassment. He was expected to be arraigned Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court.The Daily News FlashWeekdaysCatch up on the day’s top five stories every weekday afternoon.After a few moments, the Lightning fan, a resident of Everett, Mass., regained consciousness. Both he and the good Samaritan were treated by Madison Square Garden staff, stadium spokeswoman Natalie Ravitz said. The two didn’t require further medical care.“Last night, an abhorrent assault took place against a Tampa Bay fan at the conclusion of the game —followed by a second assault against an individual who bravely intervened,” Ravitz said.Anastasio has been banned from the Garden and all MSG venues for life, the spokeswoman added.“All guests — no matter what team they support — should feel safe and respected in The Garden. This has and always will be our policy,” she said.New York Rangers fans react after a goal by the New York Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in New York. (Adam Hunger/AP)It was not immediately clear if the Lightning fan had said anything to Anastasio before he was hit.Anastasio wasn’t the only one brawling following the Rangers’ loss. Both teams traded punches at the end of the third period when the Lightning capped off their win with a Brandon Hagel empty-net goal.The Lightning now leads the conference 3-2. Game six is scheduled for Saturday.



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