Mike Keenan angrily chases referees off the ice after KHL playoff loss (Video)
Mike Keenan has coached in two Stanley Cup Final Game 7s. He’ll now add another Game 7 to that résumé – in the KHL’s Gagarin Cup Final. Keenan’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk lost in overtime, 5-4, to Lev on Monday, as the Prague-based team attempted to rally in the series and become the first non-Russian team to capture the KHL’s top prize.
For those of us hoping for some of Keenan’s unique brand of whimsy (i.e. psychotic bursts of anger) to shine through in this pressure situation, Merry Christmas: Here’s Keenan being physically restrained by his assistant coach as he berates the game officials after the overtime loss.
Now, granted, it appeared Keenan was just as upset about the security guy putting hands on him, but the officials caught fire too.
According to Keenan’s postgame comments, via SovSport, he was enraged over two penalty calls in the first period that went against his team, that led to two goals by Lev. Metallurg actually led until the 17:39 mark of the third period when Lev tied it and then won it 3:53 into overtime on a Nathan Oystrick(!) goal.
Keenan’s contention was that the officiating “should be the same as in the fifth game of the series” when no penalties were called.
In an amazing coincidence, Keenan’s team won that game.
He also denied attempting to punch on of the referees after the game.
SovSport reports that Keenan won’t be suspended but will be handed a fine for the incident.
So in summary, Mike Keenan is Mike Keenan on any continent. The whole thing had a very Jim Schoenfeld/Don Koharski vibe. Wonder how you say “have another donut you fat pig” in Russian?
