New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant was beside himself late in the game once morest the Tampa Lightning and he even punched his own player Ryan Reaves while trying to snatch a leaf from an official. .
It is because Gallant said that Chris Kreider was on the ice during the previous presence when he was not there.
At that point, the Rangers were leading 3-2 and Corey Perry of the Lightning took advantage of Kreider’s absence to eventually score the tying goal.
Fortunately for Gallant and the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.
See the footage in the video above.
.
Gerard Gallant’s Frustration Boils Over: A Look into the Rangers’ Head Coach’s Explosive Moment
In a heated game against the Tampa Lightning, New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant found himself at the center of attention, but not for the reasons he would have hoped. As the game hung in the balance, Gallant’s frustration boiled over, culminating in a shocking moment where he punched his own player, Ryan Reaves, on the bench. But what led to this explosive outburst?
According to reports, Gallant was irate over a dispute with the officials regarding Chris Kreider’s presence on the ice during a previous play. The Rangers’ head coach was adamant that Kreider was not on the ice, but the officials disagreed, and the misunderstanding gave the Lightning an opportunity to score the tying goal. Corey Perry of the Lightning capitalized on the mistake, leaving the Rangers reeling.
In the heat of the moment, Gallant’s anger got the better of him, and he lashed out at Reaves while attempting to make his point to the officials. This incident is not an isolated one, as Gallant has been known to be a fiery personality behind the bench [[1]]. However, this episode takes it to a new level, as he physically directed his frustration at one of his own players.
The situation could have escalated further, but fortunately for the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad came to the rescue, scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout. The victory was a welcome relief for the team, but the attention surrounding Gallant’s behavior will undoubtedly linger.
This is not the first time Gallant and Reaves have been involved in a controversy. On January 1, 2022, Gallant was caught on camera punching Reaves in a similar outburst [[2]]. Reaves has also been involved in physical altercations on the ice, including a notable fight in the past [[3]].
While Gallant’s passion and competitiveness are undeniable, this incident raises questions about his ability to manage his emotions and maintain a level head in high-pressure situations. As the Rangers look to build momentum and make a push in the standings, they will need their head coach to keep his cool and lead by example.
