Tortorella Suspended 15 Days by NHL
Published at
Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella has been suspended 15 days without pay by the NHL as announced by the league office on Monday. The announcement comes following an altercation in the hallway outside the Calgary Flames’ locker room after the first period of Saturday’s matchup.
Flames’ head coach Bob Hartley was fined $25,000 by the NHL for his role in the incident. The league cited bylaw 17.3 (a) for conduct detrimental to or against the welfare of the league as the reasoning for the fine.
Calgary started their fourth line on Saturday and the Canucks countered by putting out a lineup of enforcers. Just two seconds into the contest, all five players on the ice for both teams dropped their gloves and began fighting. A total of 127 penalty minutes were issued and cameras captured Tortorella attempting to enter the Flames locker room during the first intermission and had to be restrained.
“Mr. Tortorella’s actions in attempting to enter the Calgary Flames locker room after the first period were both dangerous and an embarrassment to the League,” said Colin Campbell, senior vice president of hockey operations, in a statement. “Coaches in the NHL bear the responsibility of providing leadership, even when emotions run high, and Mr. Tortorella failed in his responsibility to the game.”
In total, the 15-day suspension will cost Tortorella six games behind the bench. During that time, the coach will not be allowed to have any contact with the team prior to, during or after their games.
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio