NHL suspends John Tortorella 15 days, fines Bob Hartley $25,000 for roles in brawl
Saturday night’s game between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks started with a line brawl two seconds into the game and included Canucks coach John Tortorella confronting Flames players and coaches and players confronting Tortorella during one of the intermissions.
The NHL handed down its discipline for their actions in the game that saw a first period end with 188 penalty minutes.
John Tortorella suspended 15 days (6 games) without pay for Saturday's actions. Bob Hartley also fined $25,000. #TSN #NHL
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 21, 2014
Tortorella will miss six games as a result of the suspension. The Canucks won the game 3-2 in a shootout to snap their three-game losing streak.
After the game both coaches spoke about one of the ugliest fights in the NHL in some time:
"“It’s easy for people to say put the Sedins out there and it’s deflated,” Tortorella said. “I can’t put our players at risk that way. With the lineup he had, I am not going to put those type of players at risk, and that’s what ensues. I’m not proud of it. I have apologized to every one of the players involved in it. I don’t feel great about it at all.”"
Flames head coach Hartley said there was no ill intent in rolling out a starting line that included notorious fighters Kevin Westgarth and Brian McGrattan.
"“Those guys are playing well for us,” Hartley said. “They got us a goal last game. We’re not scoring many goals. We had zero intentions there. Those guys are playing hard for us. As far as I know, they were the home team. They had the luxury to put whoever they wanted on the ice. He decided who he puts on. It is what it is.”"
If you missed the fight you can check it out here: