Tortorella suspended 15 days for involvement in Flames-Canucks brawl
Canucks coach John Tortorella will not be behind the team's bench again until February as punishment for his role in Saturday's fight-filled contest against the Flames.
John Tortorella suspended 15 days by NHL (retroactive to Sunday) for actions in 1st intermission Sat. He will miss 6 games. Returns Feb. 3.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) January 21, 2014
Tortorella was singled out for his behavior during the first intermission, when he confronted Calgary team members in the hallway outside their dressing room. He is not permitted to have any interactions with the Canucks during the term of his suspension.
"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," NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said in a media release. "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."
Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo took to Twitter to show support for his embattled coach:
— Strombone (@strombone1) January 20, 2014
Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley was fined $25,000 for his role in Saturday's mayhem.
HEADLINES
- Gauthier leads Ducks past Rangers in return of Kreider, Trouba to MSG
- Bedard out until at least early January with upper-body injury
- Sabres fire Kevyn Adams, promote Kekalainen to GM
- Reinhart scores twice to lead Panthers over Lightning
- Sharks place Smith, Kurashev on IR after their collision into boards