Rangers Tortorella Apologizes For Water Bottle Incident
By IRA PODELL
Updated 12:45 PM EST, Thu, Apr 30, 2009
New York Rangers coach John Tortorella said he embarrassed the organization by throwing a water bottle into the crowd at Washington and being suspended by the NHL during the first-round playoff series.
In his season-ending sitdown with reporters Wednesday, Tortorella showed contrition for his actions that forced him to miss Game 6 of New York's seven-game loss to the Capitals.
“It's a bad mistake by me,” Tortorella said. “I regret it. I put the New York Rangers organization in an embarrassing situation. I'm embarrassed by it. I am an intense person, which is a positive, but it also turns into a negative sometimes.”
At 6:33 of the third period of Friday's 4-0 loss in Game 5, Tortorella got into a verbal confrontation with a fan behind the bench.
A video replay showed the coach heaving a water bottle into the crowd. Tortorella then grabbed forward Aaron Voros' stick and held it high, waving it in the fan's direction.
Copyright Associated Press
First Published: Apr 30, 2009 11:13 AM EST
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