Bolts head coach Jon Cooper delivers low blow to the Leafs ahead of Tuesday's matchup
Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning return to Toronto for the first time tonight since beating the Leafs 2-1 in game 7 last year. Cooper has become known for his bulletin board one-liners over the years and provided a few during the first round series last year. Those one-liners should've provided a little extra motivation for the Leafs, but unfortunately, that did not happen as the Leafs bowed out in the first round for the sixth straight season.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Leafs made their first trip down to Tampa since the playoffs, where they lost 4-3 in overtime, but at times seemed to get dominated. Now, with Tampa just 3 points behind the Leafs for second in the Atlantic and on a 5 game winning streak, tonight's game is almost a "must win" for the Leafs. To add some fuel to the fire, Jon Cooper was asked what trade deadline acquisition Nick Paul has brought to the team since he arrived in Tampa last season. Cooper took the opportunity to fire a low blow at the Leafs when he responded saying, "Two goals in game 7."
Those two goals ended up being all Tampa needed, along with a little help from officials, who missed two potential penalties on Nick Paul's second goal, to move onto the second round. If that quote doesn't give the Leafs an extra shot of adrenaline tonight, then there is something wrong.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 706 ANSWERS Bolts head coach Jon Cooper delivers low blow to the Leafs ahead of Tuesday's matchup How do you feel about Tampa head coach Jon Cooper? | ||
| Love him | 114 | 16.1 % |
| Hate him | 165 | 23.4 % |
| Couldn't care less | 427 | 60.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
