NHL Slaps John Tortorella With Suspension For His Latest Tantrum

It was John Tortorella at his best, throwing a Torts tantrum and refusing to leave the bench Saturday night after being thrown out of the game by the refs, screaming "I'm not! (leaving)" repeatedly, with a couple of expletives thrown in. 

Now the NHL has handed down its punishment for the outburst and the Philadelphia Flyers will be without their head coach for two games.

#LetsGoFlyers John Tortorella has been suspended two games for his actions in Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay. https://t.co/3nFLIBaOgH

— Dylan H. Robillard (@DylanRobillard_) March 10, 2024

Torts was hit with a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct by the officials, but when they motioned him to leave the bench, he refused to go for a period of time.

The explosion came as his Flyers were getting trounced by the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was already 4-0 midway through the first period when he argued a goal vociferously that came on a Tampa power play following a tripping call on Ronnie Attard. Torts was ejected by Wes McCauley, but the Flyers head coach was having none of it. 

The Bolts, incidentally, though the game itself was more of a sideshow by the end of the day, ended up with a 7-0 victory. 

The NHL was obviously not happy with Tortorella's actions, feeling he set "a dangerous precedent" by not leaving the bench. 

NHL told PHI that Tortorella set a dangerous precedent by refusing to leave the bench.

But fair to question the handling by the officials - a rookie who struggled dealing with an emotional game and a veteran who felt pressure to take control & (possibly) overreacted.

— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) March 10, 2024

The Flyers are still 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with 74 points, but the New York Islanders are closing fast, with a five-game winning streak pulling them to within just four points of Philly.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports