“One of the dirtiest hits”: Head coach John Tortorella blasts NHL refs after Flyers' controversial hit from Sidney Crosby’s Penguins

The Philadelphia Flyers lost 5-4 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in an overtime game filled with controversy. A pivotal moment was during the second period when Flyers' forward Garnet Hathaway was checked into the boards by Penguins' player Boko Imama from behind, away from the puck. At first, Imama received a five-minute major penalty but later was reduced to a two-minute minor following a review. The ruling angered Flyers head coach John Tortorella, who bitterly condemned the referees for their decision.

John Tortorella bitterly condemned the referees for their decision during the Flyers vs Penguins game

The Philadelphia Flyers lost 5-4 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins, spearheaded by star player Sidney Crosby. The game was marred by a contentious incident that angered Flyers head coach John Tortorella, who did not mince words in condemning the NHL referees.


The altercation occurred during the second period when Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway was checked from behind by Penguins player Boko Imama while he was not on the puck. The impact of the hit left Hathaway dazed, needing help to exit the ice. The referees initially called Imama a five-minute major penalty for interference, but upon further review, they reduced the call to a two-minute minor.

This ruling did not sit well with John Tortorella, who was clearly angered and outspoken about his opposition. He strongly disapproved of the refereeing, indicating that he believed the referees made a wrong call. The issue contributed another layer of friction to an already heated rivalry between the two clubs.

“It’s probably one of the dirtiest hits I’ve seen in quite a while. That’s a dangerous, cheap hit,” Tortorella said in front of the reporters after game against the Penguins. The Flyers' head coach, as reported by Reuters, deemed the referees' decision to be a mistake and deemed the play to be dangerous.

“The explanation was it was not a hit to the head on the hit, that he hit his head on the ice. The hit is why he hits his head on the ice. I believe we should be thinking about what really happened, and not get glued on a hit to head originally,” he added.

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