Rick Tocchet Returns to Flyers-Pens Rivalry as a Coach
Familiar face behind Penguins’ bench
Rick Tocchet’s glimpse of hockey’s best rivalry over the past few years has been no different than that of just about anyone in the general public.
He offered commentary on the Flyers’ games with the Penguins as an analyst for Comcast SportsNet, but was really stuck watching the blood baths from afar as an outsider.
On the inside now as Penguins assistant coach to Mike Johnston, Tocchet can appreciate the view.
“You could feel the hate just boarding the bus to come to the rink,” Tocchet said. “Even when the Flyers aren’t doing that well this year, there’s still a special thing. There’s no team better for the Flyers to kick someone’s ass than Pittsburgh. There’s no team that the Penguins want to kick ass against more than the Flyers.
“It isn’t just any regular-season game.”
