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Paul Maurice Responds to Jon Cooper's Criticism of Tkachuk's Hit on Guentzel
Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice has responded to Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who used his own words against him when discussing Matthew Tkachuk's hit.
Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning wasn't without controversy, as was the case in Game 2.
Late in the 3rd period, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk leveled Tampa's Jake Guentzel with a late hit; Guentzel had just passed the puck to Anthony Cirelli, who proceeded to score on Tampa's open net.
Tkachuck was assessed a 5-minute major; Guentzel wasn't hurt and was immediately back up on his skates to join the melee that ensued.
When discussing the incident, Lightning coach Jon Cooper used Panthers coach Paul Maurice's words against him.
Now, Maurice has responded and even disclosed that his wife found it humorous.
He chirped me. My wife had a good chuckle. I think she thought it was pretty funny. And I think the coaches probably all have to take over the chirps at some point. It's kind of a lost art on the bench. So it's all good.
As speculation abounded on a potential suspension, Lightning fans didn't like the ruling from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Tkachuk will not face any supplemental discipline from the League.
It was the opposite circumstance of how the NHL DPOS ruled on Brandon Hagel's late hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in the 3rd period of Game 2; Barkov was suspended for Game 3.
The Panthers will have a chance to regain their 2-game series lead over the Lightning on Monday night.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 27 | 330 ANSWERS Paul Maurice Responds to Jon Cooper's Criticism of Tkachuk's Hit on Guentzel Did the NHL make a mistake by not suspending Matthew Tkachuk? | ||
| Yes, he needed to sit | 268 | 81.2 % |
| No, it was a good hit | 62 | 18.8 % |
| List of polls | ||