Abbotsford Heat hockey coach Jim Playfair has been fined after losing his composure Saturday night – and video of the outburst has become an internet sensation.
The drama began in the second period as the Heat faced off against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Abbotsford right wing J.D. Watt was given a five-minute major for charging, then ejected from the game for arguing the call.
Playfair followed suit, and found himself ejected for arguing as well – but he didn't leave without a fight. The coach tore off his blazer and broke two sticks on the side of the Heat bench before leaving the arena.
The Bulldogs went on to win 4-0.
"It is what it is," Playfair said Monday after the Heat finished practice. "I'm not going to apologize for it."
The American Hockey League has fined him an undisclosed amount for the incident. Asked the amount of the fine, Playfair only smiled.
"Ask my wife," he said.
By Monday morning, footage of the incident posted on YouTube had already been viewed more than 515,000 times – and Playfair said his own children have shown him the video.
"It isn't my proudest moment for sure," he said.
Playfair will be back behind the bench Monday night as the Heat host the Manitoba Moose at 7:30 p.m.
With files from The Canadian Press
