Beyond Gamesmanship: The Coach Who Bragged About Cheating for a Championship

As hockey coaches, we all love a good story about creative strategy, rule exploitation, or out-of-the-box thinking that forces leagues to adapt. Whether it’s Roger Neilson instructing his goaltender to leave his stick on the goal line when he pulled him or Sean Avery forcing an NHL rule change mid-playoff series, these moments are part of hockey lore. But what about the moments that don’t just push the envelope—they rip it up entirely?

One story I heard from a coach still stands out as the single most egregious example of winning at all costs, completely against the spirit of the game. And the worst part? He bragged about it.

The Setup

The situation was as dramatic as it gets. His team was in the state championship-deciding game, up by a single goal, but down two players due to penalties. The opposing team had pulled their goalie, creating a 6-on-3 advantage for the final seconds of the game. The crowd was deafening, the pressure was enormous, and the season hung in the balance.

In that moment, instead of trusting his players to battle through adversity, he made a decision that still baffles me. He told an extra skater to jump on the ice.

The Act

With the chaos of a packed arena, three defenders desperately trying to hold the fort, and a swarm of opponents pressing for the tying goal, he figured nobody would notice. His fourth skater blended into the madness, adding an extra body to the scramble in front of the net. The seconds ticked down. The puck was cleared. The horn sounded.

His team had won the championship.

And no one caught it.

The Justification (or Lack Thereof)

As he told the story, it was clear he wasn’t remorseful. He wasn’t ashamed. He was proud. Proud that he had “outsmarted” everyone. Proud that he had created an edge when the odds were stacked against him. Proud that he had made the ultimate “coaching move” to secure the victory.

I couldn’t find the words to respond.

Forget the fact that if the officials had caught it, his team would have given up a penalty shot and possibly lost the game. That’s not even the issue. The real issue is: How do you justify overtly cheating? More importantly, what kind of message does that send to your players?

Now, I’ll admit—gamesmanship, pushing the envelope, and straddling the line are part of highly competitive sports, especially at adult and elite levels. Any coach who says otherwise isn’t being honest. Finding loopholes, bending the rules without breaking them, taking advantage of grey areas—that’s part of the chess match that happens in high-level hockey. Coaches and players are always looking for that slight edge, that extra advantage, within the framework of the game.

But this wasn’t that. This wasn’t creative strategy, like a well-timed timeout to break momentum or taking advantage of a line-change quirk. This was outright cheating.

In Slap Shot, Reg Dunlop orchestrates a win by goading the Long Island Ducks’ goalie into a meltdown because he knows they don’t have a backup. It’s the definition of bush league, and Ned Braden calls it out for what it is—a garbage win. And that’s a fictional movie played for laughs. What this coach did was worse. There was no gamesmanship, no clever strategy. Just intentional cheating.

And then there’s another question that still lingers with me: What would the fans of his team have thought if they knew? Parents of the players—many of whom probably celebrated that championship—what would they say if they found out now? Would they feel betrayed? Would they still be proud of that title? Or would they realize it was just as much of a garbage win as Dunlop’s?

Winning at What Cost?

Hockey is a game built on respect. Respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and the game itself. As coaches, we teach our players about discipline, effort, and accountability. We tell them that championships are won through hard work and sacrifice, not through deception.

So what happens when a coach—someone kids are supposed to look up to—decides that cheating is not only acceptable but commendable? What happens when that lesson gets ingrained in young players? It tells them that winning matters more than integrity. That bending or breaking the rules is fine as long as you don’t get caught. That the ends justify the means.

That’s not hockey. That’s not coaching. That’s a disgrace.

The Real Role of a Coach

I don’t know what became the players who won that championship. But I do know this: the best moments in hockey aren’t about shortcuts or deception. They’re about perseverance. They’re about executing under pressure, overcoming adversity, and winning the right way.

Coaches should never be in the business of teaching players how to cheat. We should be in the business of developing athletes who respect the game, because in the long run, integrity will take them further than any trophy ever could.

Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.

Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.

A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.