Jon Cooper Losing It After Penalty Box Door Nearly Takes Out His Player

Tampa Bay's coach had every right to be steaming mad Monday night. Forward Pontus Holmberg crashed shoulder-first into an unlatched penalty box door in the third period of the Lightning's 4-2 loss at Buffalo, and now the NHL is investigating how this even happened in the first place. Holmberg didn't return to the game, and he was spotted with his left arm in a sling afterward. "Not good," Cooper said when asked about his status, then basically walked out of his postgame presser.

A Preventable Disaster That Could've Been So Much Worse

Here's what went down: Holmberg took what looked like a clean open ice check from Buffalo's Peyton Krebs, lost his balance, and fell awkwardly into the penalty box door. The door swung open on impact before the penalty box official slammed it shut. The worst part? The official was literally opening that same door at the exact moment to release Buffalo's Zach Benson, whose roughing minor was expiring. Perfect timing for a disaster.

Cooper didn't hold back about who should be held responsible. "I don't know who's working the penalty box over there, but I don't know if they should keep their job after what happened there, like, leaving the door open," he said. "That could have hurt anybody on either team. Those are just dangerous situations, so a little frustrated on my part." Even Lightning forward Brandon Hagel got in a shot, saying "Should be fired" as he left the locker room.

Cooper's Frustration Runs Deeper Than One Play

The injury added to an already depleted roster. Tampa Bay is already missing captain Victor Hedman (personal leave), Hagel (lower body), Scott Sabourin (lower body), and Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed). Cooper was also furious about the refereeing. Buffalo drew seven minor penalties and Tampa Bay six, and the coach felt like the officiating sucked the life out of the game.

"So many penalties that weren't even penalties. I don't know," Cooper said. "It changes the way both teams play. I mean, what are we doing? Every time you touch somebody it's a penalty? Come on. Let the teams play. That's why everybody filled this building tonight. It sucked the fun out of the game."

Both teams are now tied atop the Atlantic Division with 102 points. The Lightning will be looking to stay healthy and stay sharp when they hit the ice again.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.