BREAKING: Dallas Stars head coach Pete Deboer sent a “four-word” text message accusing the Tampa Bay Lightning head coach of unfair play that led to the Dallas Stars’ loss. “This was a game where the opponent acted unsportsmanlike and the referee was unfair,” Pete Deboer said.

Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer ignited a firestorm after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 20. In a leaked four-word text—“You cheated, we lost”—sent to Lightning coach Jon Cooper, DeBoer accused Tampa of dirty play that cost his team. “This was a game where the opponent acted unsportsmanlike and the referee was unfair,” he told reporters post-game, voice sharp with frustration.

The American Airlines Center clash was tight. Dallas trailed 2-0 early—Brandon Hagel scored on a breakaway, then Anthony Cirelli pounced on a rebound (web ID: 0). Mason Marchment pulled one back on a power play, and Wyatt Johnston tied it late. Overtime fizzled, but in the shootout, Tampa’s Gage Goncalves beat Casey DeSmith after Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene scored for Dallas (web ID: 0). DeBoer fumed over a non-call—a high stick by Jake Guentzel on Miro Heiskanen in the third, missed by refs.

“That’s not hockey,” DeBoer said, slamming Tampa’s tactics. “They crossed lines, and the refs let it slide.” The text, sent at 11:45 PM PDT Thursday, blindsided Cooper, who shrugged it off pre-practice Friday. “Pete’s upset—game’s over. We played our way,” he said, denying any cheap shots. Dallas fans on X erupted—“Refs robbed us!” one raged—while Lightning backers laughed, “Cry more, Stars.”

DeBoer’s no stranger to heat. Last May, he ripped a reporter over a “lifeless” jab (web ID: 15), and his Stars—28-14-1 this year (web ID: 7)—don’t back down. Tampa’s 2024-25 form (web ID: 0) shows rush strength, but DeBoer pointed to Guentzel’s stick and a late trip on Duchene, both ignored. “We fought back, deserved better,” he said. DeSmith, stellar with 30 saves, got no help in the shootout.

NHL history backs dicey calls—2024’s Yankee fan ban for touching Mookie Betts (web ID: 6) set a tone—but ref reviews here stayed quiet. Stars fans chanted “Refs suck!” as Cooper’s crew celebrated. “He’s exceptional,” DeBoer said of DeSmith. “We didn’t match him.” Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov grinned post-game: “Good win—let them talk.”

Opening Day’s past—Stars face Toronto next March 25 (web ID: 7)—but this stings fresh. DeBoer’s 640 wins (web ID: 7) fuel his fire; he’s led Dallas to two Western Conference Finals (web ID: 9). Cooper’s Lightning, Cup champs in 2020 and 2021, thrive on edge. “They know every trick,” a Stars insider muttered. Will the league step in? Doubtful—texts don’t trigger reviews.

Fans split hard. “DeBoer’s right—dirty play!” a Dallas diehard posted. A Tampa fan jabbed, “Lose and blame refs—classic.” This feud’s young—June 19’s rematch looms. For now, DeBoer’s text hangs heavy: a coach scorned, a loss that burns.