OTTAWA, Ontario — Toronto Maple Leafs All-Star defenseman Morgan Rielly cross-checked Ottawa Senators heart Ridly Greig to the pinnacle with 5.1 seconds remaining in a hotly contested sport Saturday evening between Atlantic Division rivals.
Greig had simply sped into the Maple Leafs’ zone and fired a slap shot into an empty web, sealing Ottawa’s 5-3 victory, and Reilly took exception to the emphatic nature of the purpose, setting off a scrum close to the groups’ benches.
“We clearly did not just like the end result on the empty netter,” Toronto captain John Tavares mentioned. “So, we will stick collectively and stand our floor when obligatory.”
Usually, with empty-net objectives — an indication the sport’s consequence has been determined — the scoring group merely pushes the puck into the online, or maybe tries a wrist shot, in order to not present up the shedding opponent. Very hardly ever do they wind up with a slap shot, particularly so near the crease.
“I believed it was acceptable,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned after the loss, when requested his ideas on Rielly’s resolution. “I am positive [the league] will take a look at it, yeah.”
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Keefe despatched out enforcer Ryan Reaves for the ultimate faceoff, however the officers rapidly jumped in to forestall a brawl.
“He was reacting to a play,” Keefe mentioned of Rielly. “Their participant has the appropriate to do what he desires in that second. And our gamers have the appropriate to react. And it is the feelings of the sport.”
Ottawa coach Jacques Martin noticed the scenario in another way.
“He put the puck within the web,” he mentioned of Greig. “Whether or not he shoots it or pushes it, [Rielly’s reaction], that should not occur.”
Certainly, it was an emotional evening in Canada’s capital, as Shane Pinto had a purpose and two assists for the house group. Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko and Josh Norris additionally scored for Ottawa in its return from a 10-day break. Joonas Korpisalo made 31 saves for the Senators earlier than Greig closed the scoring.
“You by no means actually know what Greiger’s going to do,” Norris mentioned. “I imply, I adore it, however I am positive, clearly, if we’re on the opposite facet of that I do not know if we want it both. I did not actually just like the retaliation, however I perceive their frustration, nevertheless it’s over with and I suppose it was entertaining.”
Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading forty second purpose for Toronto. Matthew Knies and Max Domi additionally scored, and Martin Jones stopped 27 pictures.
The Senators have received three in a row.
“It was actually good,” Martin mentioned of his membership’s first sport again. “I actually appreciated the best way our gamers responded and to me that was very satisfying.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
