Any post-game press conference is hard for the losing team's coach and players, emotions are hot after a big game that didn't go how you wanted it.

This was especially true for Toronto on Sunday night, losing 7-3 to Tampa Bay and seeing the best of 7 series now even at 2-2 in the opening round of the NHL playoffs.

That said you can often define a player or coach in how they act and respond to adversity, and Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe certainly showed himself to be a class-act, supporting his players in a loss, and refusing to take the bait from a pointed and tough question from a reporter.

When asked:

, Keefe cooly responds Great job backing up his players.

When the reporter answers

Keefe responds

Keefe really shows himself to be a capable and sportmanlike coaching supporting his players and keep his professionalism after a tough loss and ignorant question.

Can't imagine all NHL coaches would respond as professionally as Sheldon Keefe does to a question about their «worst defenceman» 😬 pic.twitter.com/FxLXq70QKC� Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 9, 2022

Next question.