The NHL Reveals Why John Tortorella Received Such A Harsh Punishment

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Hunter Bowman
March 11, 2024 (8:00)

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On Sunday evening, the National Hockey League took action against Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella following his heated incident on Saturday.

For those not up to speed, Tortorella was ejected from Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a dispute with the official. This happened just past the halfway mark of the first period, with the Lightning holding a commanding 4-0 lead.

Tortorella made headlines by refusing to leave the Flyers' bench, insisting he wasn't budging. After a brief standoff, he eventually exited the bench and the game.

As for his punishment, the veteran coach received a two-game suspension and a hefty $50,000 fine, the latter of which will be covered by the team's CEO, Dan Hilferty.

Reacting to Tortorella's suspension and fine, the NHL, as reported by Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period, voiced concern that the Flyers coach had set a "dangerous precedent" by disobeying the order to leave the bench.

"NHL told PHI that Tortorella set a dangerous precedent by refusing to leave the bench.

But fair to question the handling by the officials - a rookie who struggled dealing with an emotional game and a veteran who felt pressure to take control & (possibly) overreacted." Di Marco shared in a post on X.

The specifics of the exchange between Tortorella and the officials, including veteran Wes McCauley, remain unclear. However, many found it puzzling that Tortorella was ejected so swiftly, with little room for discussion.

Tortorella will be back behind the Flyers' bench next Saturday as they face the Boston Bruins, marking the end of his suspension.

Source: Bladeofsteel