Complaints were rampant on social media. Television ratings were not good.

The average sports fan was not particularly enamored with the entertainment value of the New England Patriots’ 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is apparently not an average sports fan. He loved every minute of the defensive struggle, and not just because he’s a Boston-area native and Patriots fan.

Sullivan deeply appreciated the game of chess played between the team’s coaching staffs and players.

“I thought it was terrific. I really did,” Sullivan said. “It’s a different challenge. Whenever I watch another sport, I try to draw the correlation to our sport because there’s lessons to be learned. You have to tip your hat to both teams. I thought they showed so much resolve and discipline in not making the big mistake or just taking what your opponent gives you. It’s not unlike winning a hockey game 1-0 or 2-1. I think we can all learn something from that.”

Follow the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jonathan at jbombulie@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BombulieTrib.

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