SAN JOSEJoe Thornton admitted on Wednesday morning that he should have been more careful with his words after the Sharks 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
Sometimes, every couple of years, you kind of say a boneheaded thing, he said. Usually Im pretty good, but like I said you just use the wrong word once in awhile and things come out of it, but no harm done.
RATTO: Thornton's blast not a captain's move
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Thornton, of course, was referring to his labeling of the Rangers as the softest team the Sharks faced on their six game road trip, and that they should have had the two points.
New Yorks fiery head coach, John Tortorella, ripped Thornton on Tuesday morning, saying, among other things, that the Sharks captain has never won anything and that he should just shut up.
As far as what Tortorella has to say, I have no comment on it, said Thornton.
Sharks coach Todd McLellan said that although Thornton should not have used the word soft, he understands the message his captain was trying to send.
San Jose Sharks
He was an emotional guy after a loss that I think we were all disappointed in, said McLellan. I do believe hes trying to send a message to our team, and not to their team, letting him and his teammates know that we werent competitive enough and didnt battle at all.
Obviously, his choice of words wasnt right. Full marks to them for their win, they deserved it. They outplayed us and outworked us. I think its behind us now.