Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson wasn't happy with his team's 6-2 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday, and his players paid for it, according to multiple Internet reports.
Wilson ripped the team at practice Thursday with reporters looking on, then singled out winger Phil Kessel: "You have one (expletive) goal in your last 10 games," Wilson said. Reporters then asked Wilson why he had addressed Kessel, particularly in front of the media.
"I could single out a bunch of guys, but he's our best player," Wilson said. "And a lot of times that needs to be the message. We do it here because I'm pissed off, OK? You do need a kick in the rump once in a while. Then we'll see how people respond."
•Stars center Mike Ribeiro will miss four to six weeks after being accidentally hit in the throat with a stick during a game against the Rangers. He was placed on the injured list Thursday and will remain hospitalized for a few days.
He underwent a procedure Wednesday night to repair a throat contusion a few hours after he was struck by the Rangers' Christopher Higgins.
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