Cooper Reacts to Penalty Box Attendant Incident After Holmberg Injury

Emerson Raymont

Published: April 7, 2026 9:38 AM ET

Cooper Reacts to Penalty Box Attendant Incident After Holmberg Injury

During a recent NHL match, tensions rose between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper voiced his frustration regarding a penalty box incident that led to an injury of center Pontus Holmberg.

Incident Overview

The event took place on Monday night at Key Bank Arena. The Lightning were losing 4-2 to the Sabres when Holmberg sustained an injury. With fewer than eight minutes left in the game, Holmberg collided with the boards after being struck by Sabres player Peyton Krebs. The situation escalated due to the penalty box door being left open.

Cooper’s Reaction

Jon Cooper expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty box attendant. He stated, “I don’t know who was working the penalty box… but I don’t know if they should keep their job after what happened there.” His comment reflected the potential danger of leaving the penalty box door ajar during a high-stakes game.

Injury Details

Holmberg appeared to be injured upon impact, holding his right shoulder as he was assisted to the bench. A closer examination indicated that his shoulder hit the boards at the point where the door connects when closed. Although he managed to get to the bench, his status remained uncertain.

Current Status of Holmberg

While the Lightning are facing a pressing situation with Holmberg’s injury, there have been no specific updates on his recovery timeline. Cooper commented on his condition, saying, “He is not good,” indicating a lack of optimism regarding a quick return.

Holmberg’s Season Performance

Holmberg has achieved career highs this season with 11 goals and 22 points in 70 games.
He has also contributed significantly defensively, ranking seventh among forwards with a -0.223 5v5 regularized adjusted plus-minus expected goals against per 60 minutes.

Implications for the Lightning

This incident comes at a critical time for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although they have clinched a playoff spot, their match against the Sabres was vital in the race for the Atlantic Division title. Both teams now share 102 points, but the Lightning hold one game in hand, making future games essential.