The Carolina Hurricanes evened the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-3 overtime victory. After the game, Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella bluntly shut down a reporter’s question. Now, fans are calling him out for his behavior.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final has been a rollercoaster so far. In Game 1, Vegas overcame a two-goal deficit to win the game.
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Carolina Hurricanes won Game 2
In Game 2, the Hurricanes did the exact same thing. After two goals from Brett Howden, Carolina bounced back and even led the game 3-2 before Mark Stone equalized, sending the game into overtime. Just three minutes into overtime, Seth Jarvis scored the game-winner on a one-timer.
“This is exciting. This is what playoff hockey is all about; tight games and momentum swings, and you never really know what’s going to happen next. I don’t think you can ask any more of a playoff series,” Jarvis told reporters after the game.
John Tortorella press conference
For the Vegas Golden Knights, however, the end of the night was disappointing. With five minutes remaining in the third period, Ivan Barbashev had a puck cross the goal line, but the play was ruled goaltender interference. Vegas coach John Tortorella challenged the officials’ decision but was unsuccessful. Instead, Jordan Staal gave Carolina a 3-2 lead on the ensuing power play.
At the postgame press conference, Tortorella gave short answers to reporters’ questions.
“I saw a loose puck in front of Freddie. Our player stabbed at it, didn’t move the goalie, and it goes through him to the other side. I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times,” Tortorella said at the press conference.
Tortorella was then asked whether he had any thoughts on what cost Vegas the game, but he bluntly shut down the reporter.
“I have my thoughts. I’m not discussing them here,” Tortorella said.
Now, fans are calling him out for his behavior.
“Like one step above ‘I’m here so I don’t get fined,'” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“He’s probably one of the sorest losers among coaches, and that’s saying something,” another fan wrote.
“I’m getting sick of Vegas media availability,” a third fan chimed in.
You can watch the press conference below.
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