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Ottawa coach delivers some barbs in defense of timeout

Paul MacLean

Paul MacLean speaks with the media after being named head coach of the Ottawa Senators hockey team during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday June 14, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

AP

Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien called Ottawa Senators bench boss Paul MacLean’s decision to take a late timeout with a 6-1 lead “classless.” MacLean offered no apologies in response.

The second-year head coach explained to the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman that he wanted to protect his players during a game that became “dumb enough.”

“I was forced to protect my players and I will do that every time,” MacLean said.

MacLean lobbed some bombs when it was inferred that he was rubbing it in.

“I’m classless?” MacLean said. “This is another disrespectful thing? They were doing a good job of (humiliating) themselves ... [they] don’t need my help.”

The two teams will continue their love fest in Game 4 on Tuesday. You can check it on CNBC starting at 7 p.m. ET.

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