Patrick Roy was not happy.

   The Victoriaville Tigres defeated the visiting Quebec Remparts last night by the score of 5-4 in overtime, before 3420 fans who were treated to one heck of a hockey game.

   And while this game could very likely just be a preview of a playoff series come spring, what is dominating the airwaves and papers in the land of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League today are Patrick Roy's post game comments.

   In this latest episode of Roy's Rants, the Hall of Fame goaltender, Quebec City hockey icon, and Remparts coach ripped into the officials, specifically the video officials, for their decision to allow Victoriaville's 3rd goal, breaking what was then a 2-2 tie, in the second minute of the third period.

   At issue for Patrick Roy is the fact that the on ice official seems to have been overruled by the video official as to whether or not the puck was kicked in by Victoriaville forward, Phillip Danault.

   Whether or not the goal ultimately should have counted, it's not for me to say. And I have no real problem with the coach of a hockey team griping at the officials either during or post-game. 

   Patrick's detractors, and there are many, do hoewver have a point when they question whether or not it is proper for one of Quebec's most influential hockey personalities to comment in such a way in front of reporters.

  Even if you don't understand French, have a quick listen to this, and read on lower if you wish.

Patrick Roy's postgame comments following Remparts OT loss to Victoriaville.

   So among all of the cursing and swearing, Patrick Roy qualifies the Victoriaville off-ice officials as what might be roughly translated as a "bunch of effin' amateurs". He goes on to say that it was a disgrace, and that the official should lose his job.

   He may be right in that assessment, and he may be wrong, far be it for a regular Joe Hockey Fan like me to say. 

   But it's fair to question the way in which Mr. Roy went about showing his displeasure. Because rightly or wrongly, fairly or unfairly, there are many of us who believe that Patrick Roy has a responsibility as one of the game's greatest players to conduct himself with a certain degree of decorum.

   It wasn't lost on me that the outburst occurred in Victoriaville, the town where legendary player, and universally recognized symbol of the classy hockey person, Jean Béliveau grew up. Can't quite imagine Le Gros Bill, as he was known in these parts, flying off the handle and cursing a blue streak in front of a group of reporters.

    Make no mistake about it, Patrick Roy has been good for the QMJHL. He's a solid coach, icing a competitive squad year after year. On paper, as they say, he seems to be a legitimate candidate for a job at higher levels of the game, should he so wish.

   But there are question marks. Two big question marks. Is Patrick Roy a loose cannon, and can a if so, can a loose cannon coach in the NHL?

   It would be fairly easy to demonstrate that Mr. Roy has a propensity to blowing gaskets, as we say. Sure, it was many years ago, but think back to when he stormed past then-Montreal Canadiens' coach Mario Tremblay and haughtily declared to club president Ronald Corey, something along the lines of "I've played my last game for this team", thus tying the hands of the organization and forcing a trade. Hardly a graceful exit.

   There was also the incident involving his son, at the time the Quebec Remparts goalie, attacked the opposing goaltender, Chicoutimi's Bobby Nadeau, and attempted to beat him senseless, even though it was clear that Nadeau wanted no part of the fight. You might argue that these were the actions of a player, and the coach is limited in his ability to control what players do on the ice, but not many buy that argument as it relates to that particular incident.

   Post game blowups and verbal attacks on a wide variety of subjects have become part and parcel of Mr. Roy's coaching career. Part of it is easy to understand. He is obviously an ultra-competitive person. One does not achieve the things that he has without a very high degree of passion. He cares about winning. Deeply. It's one of the traits that made him so popular with fans. 

   But there are limits to what people can say, and certainly limits as to how to say things. Some cursing and swearing while voicing displeasure about a situation is one thing. Ripping into officials, calling their competence into question, and saying you hope they lose their jobs is quite another.

   Surely the league officials will want to have a listen to these comments, and an appropriate penalty will be levied. You simply can't have the integrity and competency of officials called into question in such a public way.

   Just ask New York Rangers coach John Tortorella. He was fined by the NHL for much milder criticism of officiating during the recent Winter Classic that pitted the Blueshirts against the Flyers a few days ago.

   It's a basic fact of life. You can't go blasting the bosses or the company in public. If you don't think that's true, give it a try. Let us know how you make out.

   So, to be sure, Patrick Roy crossed a line here. It's not the end of the world, but it deserves some sort of reprimand.

   But ultimately the loser in all of this could end up being Patrick Roy himself.

   You have to think that the people Bell Centre offices, headquarters of the Montreal Canadiens, have noticed as well.

   You have to figure that eventually, if it ever gets down to deciding whether or not to approach him about coaching in Montreal, someone is going to ask the question "Is Patrick Roy well suited to coach, and represent, our hockey club?".

   Stuff like last night's outburst certainly doesn't help his case.