Philadelphia, PA – Flyers head coach John Tortorella faced consequences for his actions during a recent game against the Lightning. The NHL announced Sunday night that Tortorella received a two-game suspension and a $50,000 fine due to “unprofessional conduct directed at the officials.” This decision came after Tortorella was ejected in the first period of the Flyers’ 7-0 loss to the Lightning.
Tortorella will be absent from the Flyers’ upcoming home games against the Sharks and the Maple Leafs. The fine imposed on Tortorella will be donated to the NHL foundation. In a show of support, Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dan Hilferty expressed that he will cover Tortorella’s fine.
The incident leading to Tortorella’s ejection occurred just 10:49 minutes into the game at Amalie Arena. Following Tampa Bay’s fourth goal on a power play, Tortorella expressed disagreement with the penalties called against his team. The consecutive penalties on Flyers’ players ultimately led to the Lightning taking control of the game.
Despite the suspension, the Flyers remain in a good position for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. With 17 games remaining, the team has accumulated 74 points and holds third place in the division. Assistant coaches Brad Shaw, Rocky Thompson, and Darryl Williams are set to lead the team in Tortorella’s absence.
The suspension landed Tortorella in a challenging spot as the Flyers grapple with adversity in March. As the team pushes forward, the absence of their head coach for two games adds another layer of difficulty. The Flyers are navigating through a critical point in the season and aim to maintain their playoff position despite the setback.