The NHL has suspended and fined Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella following his refusal to leave the bench following his ejection against the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday.
The veteran bench boss became irate following a Brayden Point power play goal to give his team a 4-0 lead under what Tortorella believed were dubious circumstances. Tortorella made his feelings known to referees Wes McCauley and Brandon Schrader, resulting in him being issued a game misconduct penalty.
As a result of the outburst, the NHL issued a 2 game suspension and a $50,000 fine to the 65 year old. Tortorella will be eligible to return for his team’s game Saturday vs. the Boston Bruins.
“I think he was just trying to make a point that we felt like we might not have been getting our fair shake,” assistant coach Brad Shaw said of Tortorella after the game. “It’s an emotional game at times, and we all get elevated blood pressure.
“I’m not going to speculate on whether or not it was the right call. It’s an emotional game, you know, and Wes decided that was the right thing to do. That’s his decision in the moment.”
In a bit of irony, Tampa Bay was in the process of recognizing the 20 year anniversary of their 2004 Stanley Cup winning team, which was coached by Tortorella. Ultimately it would be a short night for the club’s former coach as he would be ejected midway through the first period.
Prior to the league issuing its supplementary discipline, Flyer CEO Dan Hilferty announced he would be paying any fine levied against his team’s head coach. “I’m really proud of Torts for standing up for his/our team,” Hilferty said. “This new era of Orange is about having each other’s backs. Last night, Torts had our collective backs. I respect any action the league might feel a need to take, but if it includes a fine, I am paying it.”
Philadelphia currently sit 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with a 33-24-8 record as they hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 2019-20.
Pending an appeal of his suspension, Tortorella will miss games against the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
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