Bruins

Jim Montgomery explained his viral reactions behind Bruins’ bench in Game 5

"Players are getting better and better at grabbing their heads, snapping their heads back."

By Conor Ryan

May 15, 2024

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SUNRISE, Fla. — Jim Montgomery might finally be at his wit’s end. 

While a majority of the cameras at Amerant Bank Arena were focused on the ice as the Bruins tried to keep their season alive Tuesday, a few lenses honed in on Boston’s bench boss. 

And for good reason.

In yet another game marred by a lengthy video review for goaltender interference and several questionable calls, Montgomery did very little to hide his disdain for Florida’s strategy of trying to sell calls. 

Be it an effort to get the attention of the officials on the ice — or perhaps to go viral on social media — Montgomery pulled out all the stops on the bench as he mimicked the Panthers’ exaggerated reactions out on the ice in Game 5. 

Montgomery’s theatrics began in the second period after Mason Lohrei was whistled for a hook against the Panthers’ Eetu Luostarinen.

Montgomery performed a “dive” motion in response as Lohrei made his way to the sin bin, then jumping back as he tried to recreate Luostarinen’s fall onto the ice. 

But Montgomery was not finished — drawing a bemused reaction from the fans behind the glass after seemingly mocking the Panthers’ tendency to snap their heads back while engaging with Bruins’ skaters in this series. 

Speaking after the game, Montgomery explained why he opted for such a theatrical performance in Game 5. 

“Well, I just think in the league in general, the embellishments [are] going up,” Montgomery said. “Players are getting better and better at grabbing their heads, snapping their heads back, getting hooked and going with the hook and jumping back.

“Used to be when I was growing up, Billy Barber was the guy that was known the best for it, and [he] drew a lot of penalties because of it. And I just think it makes it hard on the refs, you know? Because you don’t know if a guy was really high-stuck or if he’s just trying to get a call.”

The Panthers were actually whistled for embellishment in Game 5, with Anton Lundell ushered to the penalty box after exaggerating what was a cross-check from Morgan Geekie in the opening period. 

We’ll see if Montgomery’s call-out might hold any sway over the officiating in Friday’s Game 6, especially as it pertains to keeping tabs on more over-the-top reactions from Florida.