TAMPA, Fla. - Lightning head coach Jon Cooper wrestled with a difficult decision heading in to one of the most important games of the season for Tampa Bay.
One of the team's veteran leaders violated a team rule ahead of the morning skate prior to facing the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. As a result, Cooper had to stick to the rule and suspend Valtteri Filppula for one game.
Considering Tampa Bay had just 12 healthy forwards before the game, Cooper said it was one of the more difficult things he's had to impose."He missed a meeting this morning,'' Cooper said. "In the end, Val is an unreal p...
