DeBoer rips reporter: 'Write whatever the f--k you want'

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer got into a heated exchange with a reporter after his club's 3-1 loss in Game 5 to the Edmonton Oilers.

DeBoer took offense to a question from Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News and ESPN that the bench boss perceived to be criticizing his team's character.

"You can sit here and question our character if you want," DeBoer said. "You haven't been around all year, I haven't seen you here all year."

DeBoer wasn't having it when Cowlishaw insisted he wasn't questioning the Stars' character.

"You are, that's what you're doing," DeBoer said. "I'm not gonna do it. You go ahead and write whatever the fuck you want."

Pete DeBoer on the Stars effort in Game 5. pic.twitter.com/crfPveIg5U

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2024

The question posed about Dallas' "lifeless" second period stems from the Stars' overall slow start to the game. The Stars failed to respond after a sluggish opening 20 minutes, allowing the Oilers to score twice in the first 5:09 of the middle frame to take a 3-0 lead. Dallas had only recorded five shots on net at that point.

Dallas got going in the third period, but it was too little too late. The Oilers controlled 56.2% of the expected goals at five-on-five in the contest despite the late surge from DeBoer's group, per Natural Stat Trick.

The Stars find themselves on the brink of elimination, but they've shown plenty of fight so far in these playoffs. They stormed back against the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1, taking the series in seven games despite dropping the first two contests at home. Four of their 10 wins this postseason have been comebacks.

Edmonton can advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a victory in Game 6 on Sunday.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.