Golden Knights coach John Tortorella stiffs media, insider cites ‘temper tantrum’ over suspension

The Vegas Golden Knights have eliminated the Anaheim Ducks from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Golden Knights won without the services of Brayden McNabb, who was suspended for a hit on Ryan Poehling in Game 5.

After the game, Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella refused to speak to the media, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

“John Tortorella declined to speak with the media after advancing to the Western Conference finals. The Golden Knights also didn’t open the dressing room after the game. They brought 1 player into a side room to speak, along with the two who spoke at the podium. I’ve been covering the NHL for nine years and never seen either of those happen once,” Granger posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Now, hockey insider Elliotte Friedman is speculating as to why those events transpired, speaking on The FAN Hockey Show.

“I think it was a bit of a temper tantrum. They were mad about the McNabb suspension.” Friedman said. “That thing last night was in reaction to the McNabb suspension. They were really upset about it.”

The hit came nine minutes into the first period on Game 5, when McNabb hit Poehling late and was assessed a five-minute major, plus a game misconduct. Poehling had to be helped off the ice and then missed Game 6.

“It is important to note that Poehling is in no way eligible to be checked on this play,” the NHL’s Department of Player Safety said in a video discussing McNabb’s suspension. “With the puck having long been cleared away from Poehling, and with sufficient time to elect to avoid or minimize contact, McNabb instead finishes the hit with considerable force.”

Even without McNabb, the Golden Knights’ defense stepped up. Vegas took an early 3-0 lead in the game, including scoring on a Brett Howden shorthanded goal. They would give up one goal on the penalty kill, where McNabb spends time, in the second period. Still, the team went on to win the game 5-1.

Now, the Golden Knights will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals, with the series starting on Wednesday night in Colorado.

The post Golden Knights coach John Tortorella stiffs media, insider cites ‘temper tantrum’ over suspension appeared first on ClutchPoints.