Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper got emotional in what was a bizarre postgame press conference following Game 4’s overtime thriller.
Cooper answered just one question during his availability, meticulously choosing his words before cryptically sharing that Wednesday’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche was tougher than any other his club has dealt with during its previous two runs to the Stanley Cup Final.
“This one is going to sting much more than others,” he said. “It’s going to be hard for me to speak. I’m going to have to speak. I’ll speak with you tomorrow… My heart breaks for the players.”
Cooper added that the reporters asking him questions would shortly see what he meant and that the game should still be going, though he offered no further explanation before exiting for the dressing room. Thursday’s press conference will surely be appointment viewing.
“I’m gonna have to speak tomorrow… You’re gonna see what I mean when you see the winning goal. My heart breaks for the players because we probably should still be playing”
– An emotional Jon Cooper after only taking one question post-game. pic.twitter.com/1XHPHRwD5x
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) June 23, 2022
While many were left dumbfounded after the bizarre sequence, others on Twitter quickly deduced what had left Cooper with such a bitter taste in his mouth: The Avalanche scored the game-winner with too many men on the ice.
The astonishing missed call in such a crucial game left fans around the hockey world reeling.
Are the hockey gods getting revenge on Tampa from ‘04? 🙃 #Flames
— MICHAEL DISTEFANO (@mickey_canuck) June 23, 2022
Wait, the Avs won that game with too many men on the ice?
Frauds.
Mickey Mouse.
Put the players back on the ice.— Justin Acton (@JActon_STL) June 23, 2022
They missed too many men
They missed several obvious penalties in the third period
Who was refereeing tonight? Doug Eddings?— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) June 23, 2022
I thought Cooper was overreacting when I saw this quote but looking at the tape, he’s right. Five Avs here, Byram in the d-zone, Colorado in control of the puck. Too many men for a solid few seconds. Legitimate gripe https://t.co/FFbffkTd2T pic.twitter.com/cNlAyor2c8
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) June 23, 2022
Let me translate the NHL’s statement. “We know there were too many men on the ice but it’s not reviewable so don’t blame the NHL. This is all the fault of the on ice officials, all 4 of them missed the call, so make sure you blame the right guys.” https://t.co/9Xshk8QaeC
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) June 23, 2022
The NHL issued a statement following the game, saying a too-many-men penalty is a judgment call from the four on-ice officials and none of them saw an infraction. The call is not subject to video review.
Ironically, this isn’t the first time that Tampa has been involved with a controversial too-many-men penalty in an important playoff game. Just over a year ago, the Bolts were on the other side of the coin as the beneficiaries of a similar non-call during their conference final series against the New York Islanders.
Lightning had too many men on go-ahead goal. Barry Trotz after seeing replay: “Seven f**king guys. There’s seven guys on the ice. On the f**king goal. It’s right there.” pic.twitter.com/CsLyoNq9c6
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) June 16, 2021
Nevertheless, the Avalanche’s enormous win, capped off by a storybook game-winner by Nazem Kadri in overtime, puts Colorado on the brink of capturing its first Stanley Cup since 2001.
The Avalanche will have the chance to grab that elusive and all-important 16th playoff win in front of their home fans in Denver on Friday.
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