Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien had some strong words for his Boston Bruins counterpart ahead of Tuesday’s meeting between the rivals.
Bruins head coach Claude Julien was whistled for using “abusive language” toward an official during Boston’s 5-3 win Saturday in Game 2 of the teams’ second-round Stanley Cup playoff series — one of nine minor penalties called on the Bruins in the contest. Julien spoke afterward of the “crap” his team had to put up with during the game, though he would not specify what he was referring to.
Therrien was asked Monday for his take on Julien’s remarks.
“It’s the same thing with Claude. He’s not happy with all that ‘crap,’ ” Therrien told reporters, via CBS Boston. “They try to influence referees. That’s the way they are. That’s not going to change. That’s the way that they like to do their things. … But we all know what they try to do.
“I thought they got away with a lot of things, as far as we’re concerned.”
Bruins players have spent 26 minutes in the penalty box through the series’ first two games — compared to the Habs’ 18 — and the Canadiens have been much more effective on the power play, scoring on four of their nine opportunities with the man-advantage. Boston, meanwhile, has failed to score in five power-play chances.
The teams split the first two games of the series at TD Garden. Game 3 is set for Tuesday night in Montreal.
