Watch CBS News

Lundqvist: 'I'm Not Gonna Apologize' For Flipping Over Net

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist won't apologize for flipping over the net during an outburst in a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins last week.

"King Henrik" was upset that play wasn't stopped when he was accidentally run over by teammate Ryan McDonagh.

"When I realized the puck is in our end, I was not really ready to play. That was the truth," he told the New York Daily News. "I don't know how I came up with the conclusion to move the net, but that's what came up in my head, and I'm not gonna apologize for it because I was just not in a position where I could play the game. I needed a break."

Lundqvist was called for a delay of game penalty, gave up three goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins later in the second period and left the game at intermission with neck spasms.

Penguins goalie Marc Andre-Fleury was not impressed by the net-flipping, calling it "baby stuff." Lundqvist wouldn't hit back but said that he needed a whistle at the time.

"All I can say is I was not in a position where I could play the game," Lundqvist told the Daily News. "I needed a whistle. If the ref's not gonna give me one I'm gonna deal with it my way. Could I have done it differently? Absolutely. But at the same time, it was a really tough hit where I was not really thinking straight, I think. But I got the whistle."

Lundqvist is considered day-to-day and did not rule coming back to the net this weekend.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.