The Dallas Stars were on the verge of elimination after their 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the NHL’s Western Conference Finals on Friday. Coach Pete DeBoer wasn’t in the mood to respond to a question following the game because he felt it was disparaging his team’s morals.
For the majority of the first period on Friday, Dallas and the Edmonton Oilers were tied without a point. Nonetheless, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ power play goal in the closing minutes of the frame gave Edmonton the lead. The Oilers scored twice early in the second period, with a goal from Nugent-Hopkins and another from Philip Broberg giving Edmonton a 3-0 lead just over five minutes in. The score stayed 1-0 for the remainder of the first period.
Wyatt Johnston’s goal late in the third period gave Dallas the lead, but the score remained at 3-0 for the remainder of the game, as the Stars failed to build a meaningful comeback. They now trail the series 3-2 after losing the game. Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News questioned DeBoer about the team’s performance in the second half after the game.
Even if you’re all praise for the Oilers, did you not feel that your side had a really dull second period? Cowlishaw asked, “After falling behind and just kind of putting no pressure on them at all.”
And although DeBoer gave a calm reaction at first, he soon expressed annoyance with the query.
DeBoer added, “Listen, there’s always things you can do better.” You know, if you’d like, you may sit here and criticize our morality. You haven’t existed for the entire year. You haven’t been here in a whole year.
Following Cowlishaw’s apparent denial (his remarks were not audible) that he was doubting the Stars’ character, DeBoer’s annoyance persisted.
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