Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness made headlines internationally in the early morning hours on Friday. Taking to the podium moments after Winnipeg's series-ending loss in Vegas, the veteran bench boss called out his team's play before storming off to his office in a short-lived post-game availability.
The clip blew up on social media and in news outlets world-wide. On Saturday, after initially not being listed as one of the speakers at the Jets' year-end media availability, Bowness waltzed into the press room and attempted to clear the air on his intentions, delivery and word choice.
"'Disgusted' was probably too strong a word," he chuckled.
Beginning his Thursday night press conference with a quick reflection that used the phrase 'disappointed and disgusted', the NHL's all-time games-coached leader came out on Saturday and backtracked his way through the same snowy footprints he laid down just 40 hours prior.
Although claiming he took things a bit too far, Bowness' message remained the same.
"That's a good crew in there," he said of his current roster. "Listen, don't ever let me paint the whole team with one brush, because there's a lot of guys in there that gave a lot all year long."
Sure, that may have been the case, but in Game 5 of their opening round matchup with the Golden Knights, the Jets hardly appeared interested in doing any more than digging through their attics in a desperate search for some missing golf clubs.
"Yeah. It was a bad game," he reflected. "I can't come before you after a game like Game 5 and sugarcoat. I can't do that. That's not me. You guys are all knowledgeable hockey people. I'm not going to go in there and say, 'Oh, we just missed this or we fought.' I'm not going to say that. We had a bad game. It wasn't a good enough effort from most of the team. That's a fact. I can't hide from that, nor will I sugarcoat it."
Known to wear his heart on his sleeve, the 68-year-old will now have to wait until he concludes his own year-end meetings with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and president Mark Chipman to know if his job is safe.
But with one year left on his current deal, the Maritimes product is still as passionate as ever about Winnipeg's top hockey team.
"I still love the game, man. I still love the game," he said. "I still love the coaching part of it. I’m getting old, I get that. I still love the game.
"I love the city. I love the team," Bowness continued. "The Winnipeg Jets mean a lot to me... I love the city. I love the passion. I love the fans we have. It’s a good group of guys to work with. It’s a great organization.