Burns Released on Bail, Implements Line Up changes

Post game dressing room source of screaming dress down by newly freed GM

Rangers' General Manager David Burns was released from prison on $1,000,000 bail just in time for the Rangers fifth game and he did not like what he saw. The Rangers put forward a tepid effort to lose 4-2 to the Hurricanes and the GM hit the roof after the game. The General Manager stormed into the room after the game, kicked out coach Roger Neilson and screamed at the team for half an hour. The press was held back from the door so exact wording could not be heard but the sound of screaming and objects crashing was clear.

There was no doubt that Jocelyn Thilbault took the brunt of the verbal barrage as, after the meeting, he emerged from the dressing foom in tears. The goaltender had a terrible game allowing four goals only 17 shots including two goals on 3 shots in the third.

"You can't treat me like that! You just can't talk to me that way! I mean I have feelings!" sobbed Thilbault after the game.

Burns stormed out of the dressing room, handed coach Neilson a line up sheet, and snarled "Thilbault is out next game. OUT! Dunham is in. I've made some other adjustments. If you can't get these guys to play better than that then I will." He then strode away.

Roger Neilson looked at the reporters then went into the dressing room where he consoled a despondent Thilbault.

Time will tell if the GM motivated his team or destroyed their confidence.
The rest of the team was white faced and silent when they left the dressing room.