Tortorella blunt after benching Farabee: 'He didn't listen'

Forward Joel Farabee was benched for 57:18 in the Philadelphia Flyers' 4-3 overtime loss against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

"Are you asking me why I sat Joel? Because he didn't listen," head coach John Tortorella bluntly explained postgame. The veteran bench boss didn't elaborate further.

Farabee played just two shifts for 56 seconds of ice time. He didn't hit the ice again after Alexander Holtz's opening goal 3:10 into the first period.

Alexander Holtz gets things going for the @NJDevils! pic.twitter.com/T2oeraNh0p

- NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023

Michael McLeod chipped the puck past Farabee to begin the rush that culminated in the goal.

Farabee declined to speak to the media postgame, according to PHLY Sports' Charlie O'Connor.

The benching isn't Farabee's first under Tortorella. He was sat in February against the Calgary Flames as well, playing only 3:52 in that contest.

Farabee has eight goals and 15 points in 23 games this season, ranking third on the Flyers in scoring. He's in the second campaign of a six-year, $30-million contract signed in September 2021.

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