Virus forces coach Torts to make quick outfit change during the game

It's the time of year where just about anyone is getting sick. That includes Columbus Blue Jackets John Tortorella, who still managed to coach players and lead them to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. 

However, a quick change of outfit was needed during the game. We all know that an NHL head coach's uniform is a suit, but Torts could handle the side effects of the virus any longer. 

During a game in Philadelphia, Tortorella was caught wearing a hoodie on the bench. He however needed to ditch the customary suit: he has been battling against flu-like symptoms for some time and wanted to feel comfortable and warm while on the bench. 

The Blue Jackets Twitter account changed their profile image to a photo of Tortorella and even temporaly changed their name to the “Columbus Blue Hoodies" as many fans were making light of the situation on social media. 

Tortorella was feeling so ill that after the contest, his assistant coach Brad Larsen handled the post game press conference. 

“Did you see his face? It was pretty white. He battled through. He had a tough night,” Larsen said. “You know, I think he had about seven shirts on, and I’m sure there’s a lot of talk about the hoodie. He was shaking like a leaf. He’s fighting a virus right now.”

His own player Brandon Dubinsky joked with team insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that the move should result in a fine for the head coach. However, let's be clear: there is no written rule that formal dress code coaches must abide to.

“I think it’s a fine. Coaches in the NHL wear suits on the bench. He’s going to have to pay some cash into the fine fund.”

How much?

“You’ll have to ask (Lukas) Sedlak. He’s the fine master."

The important thing, besides the fact that Tortorella needs to feel better, is that the Jackets won the game. So, who knows, Torts might not see the hoodie as a good luck charm.