The NHL was the lone league that chose to play games on Wednesday night, with the NBA, MLS and MLB all choosing to postpone contests, and one of the league’s coaches provided an interesting take on their decision to do so.
Similar to the NBA’s playoff format, the NHL’s teams are in a bubble. And apparently, for some, that entails being completely closed off to what’s going on in the world — sports or otherwise — around them.
Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault coached his team in their game against the Islanders while the craziness in the NBA and other leagues was going on, and Philadelphia emerged with a 4-3 victory over New York in overtime.
Vigneault was apparently completely unaware of the events taking place outside of the bubble, though, and even sent a message to reporters for asking him about them after the game was over.
“Listen, I’m disappointed to disappoint you again with my answer, but ever since we eliminated Montreal, the only thing that’s been open in my room is my computer, to hockey games,” Vigneault said, via Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. Â
He continued:
“I have really no idea what’s going on in the outside world. We’re in this bubble right now, I’m invested 24-7 on our team, working 20 hours a day, going through video, and preparing our group. I don’t do Twitter, I haven’t read a single sports article in I don’t know how long, and I haven’t read any type of article in I don’t know how long.”
Vigneault is clearly attempting to ensure his team keeps its focus on the task at hand — defeating the New York Islanders — rather than let the protests and unrest about social injustice become a distraction. Still, though, it’s a major issue in the country, and it simply can’t be ignored.
