Tortorella fined $10,000

Lightning coach John Tortorella's disparaging comments about league officiating following the Tampa Bay's 4-3 overtime loss to the Atlanta Monday night will cost him.

Tortorella was fined $10,000 by the league today for blasting league on-ice officials after some questionable calls hurt his team Monday night. The coach reached a boiling point after his team blew a 3-1 lead and a phantom holding penalty on Brad Richards in overtime led to Atlanta's game-winning goal.   

"The frustrating part for me is these organizations pay the players millions upon millions of dollars," Tortorella said. "They're the ones who need to decide outcomes of games.

"Listen, I'm trying to stay away from criticizing as far as the calls, but (expletive) that. I just don't get it. And it makes the coaching job that much harder, how you coach your players in playing when you get that (expletive) out there."

The ruling from league disciplinarian Colin Campbell came down within the half-hour after a day of pondering the seriousness of Tortorella's remarks.

Comments

[Mike13]

10-grand is a bit much for criticizing the horrific referring that we saw in ATL a few nights ago.

[bear]

10 Grand? The Bolts will have to cut somebody.

[ajax]

The Bolts are not tight$$$ They are thrifty.

[WakeUpWalkom]

Preach on Torts! Don't let the man keep you down! The officiating has been incredibly inconsistent since the lockout and Walkom doesn't seem willing to acknowledge the fact, insisting that it is the fans lack of knowledge of the rules that make it seem that way, despite the coaches and players making the same complaints as the fans! 1st year after the lockout the excuse was "adjusting to the new rules", last year he handed out a (seemingly) record number of fines to coaches and players who spoke up, lets see what happens this season...

[Mike13]

What a frustrating game tonight. Our guys were out-muscled most of the night and probably didn't deserve a win.

HOWEVER

Can anyone remember the last time a goal/no-goal decision came back from Toronto in the Lightning's favor? It is almost comical at how ridiculously biased they are. Either that, or my large, widescreen, HD TV just doesn't have quite the resolution that Mitsubishi says it does.

Feaster should be on the phone with the Tampa PD. The Lightning were robbed of at least 1 point tonight.

[wiggy]

No more crap about the reffing. Let Cristodoro cry with his journalist buddies. I'm going to suck it up and move on.

Meanwhile, the big story, the one with more far-reaching ramifications for the future of the Lightning, is that the sale of the team has been delayed. Apparently the rumors about investors bailing is true.

[Nat4]

I was at the game and had a clear view of that goal going in. There sure was a lot of white between the line and the puck...clearly Toronto missed again. Not sure about the goalie interference on Lecavalier either. Maybe the Bolts would have lost but it would have been nice to know that the outcome was not decided by the refs or Toronto.

I for one am disgusted by the officiating. Gary Betman has done nothing for the true fans of hockey but alienate them even further. It is time for a change before this truly becomes and obsolete sport. As for the sale of this team that has felt wrong from the start.

[harvey]

I was also at the game Nat4. I may be an old man but my eyes are still pretty good. From row g, section 104, I also saw a whole bunch of white between the puck and the goal line. I have no clue what they used to make the determination that there was no goal. I tivo'd the game and saw the replay several times. Clearly a goal. No flippin doubt.

I can take a loss. It happens. But to have another game stolen just pi$$es me off. Thank god my dishwasher is full and I am sipping from a plastic cup. I'm so pi$$ed off I could chew glass right now.

Ok so bad calls are made. But to cost me 2 games? Excuse me while I go find something to punch. Damn good thing I don't have a dog!

[Nils]

It cost YOU two games?? Are you part of the Lightning organization or are you a fan that needs to get a life outside of hockey?

I'm a fan but my economic and emotional fortunes are not tied to biased referees and an Original 6-centric league.

If you want to release your frustration, go to FireBettman.com

Otherwise all the handwringers can do most of us a favor and go to the Crying Towel blog. Damian C. should provide one since he's the one who started all this crapola.

[Ryan Callahan]

MAN THIS IS REDICULOUS! And the refs blew it again tonite! These refs are horrible, and im pretty sure that if we go back to every 1 goal loss this season, there was proably a blown call by the refs. Well thats 2 in a row, hopefully it stops! (yeah right)

[Alabaster Cat]

No goal! No Penalty shot for Shannie's glove on the puck! No tolerance for Tortorella's cry for fairness! No decent judgment from Mike Murphy in Toronto! No consideration from Colin Campbell! No interest by Gary Bettman! No adherence to the rules by the refs! NO JUSTICE!

What a dreadful abomination. Who picked these refs and league administrators? Vince McMahon?

[Ryan Callahan]

lol albaster cat, maybe he did. anyways, its hard to believe that all of those things that u stated could happen to 1 team in a span of 2 games, but it happened. whatever happened to freedom of speach, its like you cant voice your opinion anymore.

[Canadians Fan]

Wahhhh!!! I'm a big baby and want to blame the refs for my team being essentially in eighth place with a sub-500 record.

Wahhhhh!!! I deride all the big city and Canadian teams who, when they get bad calls, suck it up, move on, and win!!

Wahhh!!! My life is ruined because some guy I never heard of before and don't really care about made a mistake on the job unlike me.

Wahhh!!! Lightning fans have got to be the biggest babies and whiners of an in the NFL. You jerks keep it up and this will be fodder for hockey sites and fan blogs all over North America.

[Fredinator]

Mike13, the Bolts may have gotten a pretty good call during against Calgary during the Cup year...and I think Canadians Fan might need a nap after too much turkey. Lighten up, Francis!

[buck]

The writers here are not blowing this ref problem out of proportion. Anyone who watches even just a few NHL hockey games can/should clearly see that the refs are getting worse this year on calls or lack of them. There is no consistency and yes, something needs to be done.

[mcw]

Both Ranger goals were soft and the second was the worst Homer has let in this season. Granted he was very good otherwise, but had he at least stopped the second goal we wouldn't be crying about the Ref's as much. For me the Koharski call on Vinny was the call we should be angry about. We should have been on the power play. Vinny was hooked/held no goalie interference.

[Mike13]

http://www.nhlofficials.com/images/2008_NHL_Rulebook.pdf

NHL Rule 25 (Penalty Shot), from Table 13 (Summary of Penalty Shots), article iv:

"Falling on the puck in the goal crease".

If it was a no-goal, then the Bolts should have been awarded a Penalty Shot due to the fact that it was Shanahan that fell on the puck, not Lundqvist. No whining here, just asking for the NHL to use their own rulebook. Who's to say the Bolts would have scored on the PS? But then again, who's to say they wouldn't have?

[Nat4]

Just wondering Canadians Fan did you watch the game? Wonder what you might have thought had the Habs been on the poor side of this one. By the way it's the NHL not the NFL. Just stating the obvious.

Let's move on and win tomorrow night! Go Bolts!

[patti]

Everyone says let's move on but keeps this foolish nonsense going. This is Thanksgiving. Try to be uplifting, if not on this blog somewhere else. Help out at a homeless shelter instead of gnashing your teeth over something you can't control.

[reggie]

Allow me to return the complement,patti. Nice post!
I have to admit, I also saw the "hand closing over the puck in the crease". I know you can bat it out of the crease but you sure as heck can close your hand over it. Ref gave HUGE benefit of the doubt to (was it Shanahan?) because the game was so close. But yeah, that should've been a penalty shot, but what are you gonna do?
What hurt us most wasn't the missed-call on Shanny but the missed-save on Orr.
I think it may have deflected off the ref.
Just kidding.

[reggie]

And Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy your families and your football!

[reggie]

oh jeez, sorry,
I meant "sure as heck CAN'T close your hand..."
sorry...
I'm out.

[goldenbolt]

No it's not a penalty shot unless the Toronto geniuses put on there glasses. Toronto has a new version of the 6.9 Chara high stick for a goal to show off at the NHL Hall Of SHAME......

However, with that said we did not deserve to win.... we were outplayed, 0 - 6 on the power play, one VERY VERY SOFT goal by ORR (and that's not Bobby) along with the failure of the Fab Five in the first period clearing a puck out of their zone. Mediocrity reigns supreme at both ends of the ice for the Bolts tonight.

Happy Turkey all - It was a turkey of a game - guess we are ready for the usual Holiday 6 - 8 game losing streak.

C Ya

[Another Joe]

It was a good game the Rangers goalie outplayed ours. Holmer played pretty well just cant let that 2nd goal in when your playing against a top notch goalie thats not gonna let much in. That was the difference. And 0-6 on power play.

Was it a goal. Yes from where I was sitting it clearly crossed the line. The goal judge lit the lamp also. However, who knows if we go on to tie the game. Maybe we do maybe we dont, but they at least deserve the chance to try.

Anyway Canes lost so lets just move on to the weekend games!

[Not a Canadiens Fan]

TO: M. Canadiens Fan,
Stay hors de nos busines et nous restera hors du votre. Ou nous enverrons votre ane de grenouille emballant 4-0 encore dans les finales.

[kenny]

toronto's stupid, they've always been stupid and they won't get any better with the goons that are running the NHL. The refs don't know half the rules. it's always jackson and devorski ruining our games. The rule that prohibits coaches to critizize the refs is nonsense. they know they're horrible and don't want to listen. NHL's like a dictatorship, making rules on what people can say and can't say. Look at the NFL, coaches lose it and it's alright. Plus the NFL have the best refs out of any sport.

[leo]

I think Not a Canadiens Fan is Hockey Goon. Just a guess but the broken french that doesn't mean anything is a dead giveaway. Sorry, dude. In Florida, how can you not think there'd be frenchies reading your posts?
To business,
Call or no call, Homer shouldn't have let that shot in, I agree with reggie, man, you're on a roll lately, guy.
Colton Orr. Colton Orr for goshsakes!
This is a subject that will come back more frequently than bad calls.
Our goaltending, or lack thereof.
I'll say it again: Vinny for the young Canadien goalie. It's the only way.

[Lisa]

The NFL makes mistakes as well, but at least they man up to it when they do. They issued a statement that the review of the fumble last week should have been reviewed completely, and admitted to the mistake.

In the NHL, when there are horrible calls made, they fine the coaches for not just accepting being screwed over. If they would accept accountablilty and demand accountablitiy for their calls, maybe the sport would get a bit more respect. I love hockey, and i am tired of watching dumb and dumber being the ones deciding the outcome of the games, and the tyrants in toronto fining the coaches for calling out the incompetent (or dishonest, betting) officials.

[Lisa]

You trade away a superstar like Vinnie for an unproven minor leaguer who may or may not be worth some and you might as well just give the franchise away.
All we needed to do was give a 5th round pick and we would have had Bryzgalov. why trade away the face of the franchise who is a definate superstar for an unproven goalie when you can get a proven goalie who has done well in the playoffs for next to nothing.

I will never understand the front office not jumping on that chance. That is where we lost the season.

[leo]

Lisa, we've been over this.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda is over and done with. Your boy is in Phoenix, now.
My proposition is still doable and, (regardless of our love for V4) feasable.
Unproven, unproven, unproven, please.
The kid is ultra-proven and his NHL record now stands at 5-1-1. He's 20.
Minor leaguer? oh, you're thinking of Halak, no, I mean the Other One.
Look at him play and you tell me: is he or is he not the real deal?
Besides, Lisa, even if I convince everyone on this blog of the viability of my dream-trade, I don't honestly think that Feaster or McLean would do it.
The Kid will prove himself more and more and the date at which a decision must be made concerning the payments to the Big3 is looming closer and closer.
Anyways, I'm repeating myself, I'm sure you remember my line of thought.
I hope you remember; I remember yours.
Bryzgalov is playing great, isn't he, though? You were right about him. For a little draft pick, we shoulda got him.
But for the Kid,(plus a young'un or two for their cap) I would trade Vinny, yes.
I want to win, Lisa.

[Giblets and Leftovers]

Trade Vinny for anybody--Price, Pronger, or Brodeur---forget it!

Now please put down the crack pipe and slowly step away.

It's been tirelessly stated when we quit the pickpocket and dash system with pokey pokey 'D'; start playing seriously responsible defensive hockey (this cuts you out, #22) that creates offence, we can put a Hyde Park cab driver in net and do all right.

Wouldn't it be nice to come up for air and spew a cogent thought?

[Sudsy]

Faith in a prodigy phenom is dangerous. The Habs haven't just handed over the car keys to Price (ya think?) because they're still smarting from the second coming of P. Roy, Jose 3or4.
I like that, 3or4. Colorado fans were more clever than us in the new nom de plume for their G-embarrassment. Too bad Denis doesn't rhyme well with sieve! Same affliction, same guarantee of a minimum 3 goal yield, and millions down the toilet. Wouldn't be a big banana if the $21M club could gurantee 5 goals when Sieve is in net.

V4 for Price, BBWWWHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[leo]

Totally agree.
But you're talking about Pronger, Brodeur, Theodore and Denis.
None of those guys have won a Calder AND a World Junior AND been named MVP in both.
Nobody has done this except the kid.
PEDIGREE counts for something if it's monumentous acheivements, regardless of what he's done in the NHL, YET. (He's 5-1-1 by the way.)
The goalie position is the most important one on any team. We need one. I mean, a Real one.
Superstar for "expected superstar"? No,no,no. I shouldn't have said that. Superstar for imminent superstar. Jaques Demers and Pat Burns also said that they'd rather have a top-5 goalie than a top-5 player. The kid is that. Before you bash me, let me sincerely say: I can see the future.
I can tell by the level of your vehemence that you Have Never Seen Him Play. If you had, I am sure you would be more diplomatic, especially since we are eventually going to have to part with one of the big3 to make space in our cap or risk losing one for nothing. Well gee, who could that be?
Whatever happens, sooner or later, we are going to have to rebuild, surely you see this too.
You get that kid on your team, you are not only half-rebuilt but on the way to the cup. (watch closely what the habs are about to do) The only THING that would turn their heads away from the kid would be V4. That's why I'm on this particular band-wagon. 7.1mil for 800grand. Take the change and get Hossa, Jokinen, Kovalchuk, Carter, I don't know! Pronger!!!
Our net will be Bricked Up for 1000 years! I exaggerate. Let's be nice and say ten. Ten years of WALL is GOOD.
Oh, V4 is the heart of the team, soul of the community, ok, ok, fine, I agree. I admit it.
So let's stay like this.
Where we going? For the cup?
What's gonna happen next year? We getting the cup? Does Ramo score goals, too? Who we got?!
Year after that when Vinny's contract's up? Tell me.
Tell me everything's gonna be allright and that we're going for the cup.
I want to win.

[Hockey Chic]

Okay for once I am glad I was not at the game. Everyone knows how I feel about the blown calls and I am one that thinks we can only win if we continue to not allow the refs to rule how we play.

I am so over this. Hey canadiens fan it is so nice that you are allowed to chime in on our Blog. You are welcome and we are allowed to dis agree with you and will continue to do so. The refs are going to continue to be a problem and we need to score enuf and keep the goals out and it no longer becomes a problem.

Go Bolts lets get 10 goals or more on saturday and make a statement to the NHL.

Go Bolts.......