Post Gazette · May 16, 2017
Mike Sullivan embraces an emotional Penguins bench
Mike Sullivan thought Patric Hornqvist was hurt.
After taking a cross-check from Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard and smashing head-first into the goal post during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Hornqvist was in sad shape, and Sullivan sat him down as a precaution.
Hornqvist, meanwhile, thought Sullivan had benched him for the ensuing power play. He slammed his stick and quickly grew irate, screaming and swearing at Sullivan and Savard and probably their parents, too. But instead of getting upset or telling Hornqvist to shut it, Sullivan let Hornqvist get it all out. Inside, the coach loved it.