Rick Tocchet reveals text he got from J.T. Miller after Game 4 loss

PUBLICATION

Tyler Ball
May 16, 2024 (1:29 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Vancouver Canucks fell in Game 4 tying up the series recently Rick Tocchet spoke about the loss and his team's response.

The Vancouver Canucks have struggled against the Edmonton Oilers after jumping out to a big series lead. In a press conference, Rick Tocchet called out certain players on his team for not being as involved in the game.

There's times there we have some guys, you know where the puck's gonna go, you just gotta get there before the other guy, and I think we're pausing. Some guys are playing pause hockey. And you can't win if you have five or six passengers.

In response to the team's poor performance Canucks forward J.T. Miller sent a text to Rick Tocchet after hearing his comments. The forward apologized for not playing well in Game 4.

It's an honest group, said Tocchet on Wednesday. I mean, J.T. Miller texted me today, �sorry, I had a bad (game).'

Despite feeling he had a bad game J.T. Miller is not in the doghouse with Rick Tocchet heading into Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers.

This guy's been unreal for me. One play, two plays doesn't define (it). Who cares about that? That games over. He's been a monster force, he'll be a monster for us. That's the way we work around here.

After criticizing his team Rick Tocchet took the opposite approach at the end of his time with the media. He decided to galvanize his group and talk about the opportunity that is in front of them.

We're going to be ready to play a Game 5, we got great fans, it's going to be a fun game to play in. We gotta embrace it. My message is its there. Don't regret it in the summer, �I wish I would've played harder,' (or) �I wish I would've blocked that shot.' It's there for us.

The key for the Vancouver Canucks will be finding ways to create more offense without sacrificing the solid defense they have played. Game 5 is set for tonight at 10 pm.

Source: Hockey Feed - J.T. Miller sent surprising text to Rick Tocchet after Game 4 He needed to tell his head coach this: