Twenty-one years ago, Senators coach Travis Green, then an NHL player, found himself in the middle of the Battle of Ontario.
Published Nov 12, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read
Ottawa Senators (7-7-0) at Toronto Maple Leafs (9-5-2)
TV: TSN 4, 5. Radio: TSN 1200 AM
TIME: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Odds: Senators +125, Toronto -150
SKIRMISH OF ONTARIO?
Remember the real Battle of Ontario?
Players would get charged up. Fans would get crazy. The players didn’t like each other; the fans may have liked each other even less. There’d be lots of hitting, some fights (in the stands and on the ice). There was animosity. Anger. It was must-see hockey. Every time.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
- Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
- Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
There was Darcy Tucker. Chris Neil. Tie Domi. Zdeno Chara. Did we mention Darcy Tucker? Leafs fans booed Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson every time he touched the puck. The good old days.
It’s a much milder, gentler rivalry these days.
Twenty-one years ago, Senators coach Travis Green, then an NHL player, found himself in the middle of it.
On March 4, 2003, a bit more than seven minutes into the third period, Green was being assessed a charging penalty for a hit on Senators defenceman Shane Hnidy. Before going to the penalty box, he skated toward the Ottawa bench and pointed toward Neil. Tucker launched himself at Neil, fists first.
The fans in the then-Corel Centre went nuts as Neil, who was on the bench, and Tucker went at it. Tucker, who then fought Hnidy, was given 42 minutes in penalties — three misconducts, two fighting majors and a minor for instigating. Enraged Leafs coach Pat Quinn slammed a stick behind Toronto’s bench.
“Rivalries, in general, a lot of times come from playoff hockey,” Green said Monday. “The Ottawa-Toronto playoff rivalry was pretty intense back then. Being in the same province, there is a bit of a rivalry. When you’re with Ottawa and you play Toronto, I’m assuming — I know that was the way we were in Toronto — it was an exciting game to look forward to.”
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
PINTO SLIDES BACK IN
While Green didn’t confirm centre Shane Pinto would return, the player himself said he’d be back for Tuesday’s game; it will also be his 24th birthday.
Asked about Pinto, who has missed eight games, Green said: “He’s a good hockey player, a two-way guy, he’s good on faceoffs. His game is still on the incline. We’ve seen spurts we see what kind of player he can be.”
“It was a faceoff play versus New Jersey (Oct. 17), I tweaked something,” Pinto said. “I tried to play a couple of games on it. I felt like I needed to give it a few weeks to heal; I didn’t want it to be nagging me all year, that would have been tough. I feel like I’m back to 100 per cent.”
LINE JUGGLING
It looks like the Senators will start Tuesday’s game with centre Josh Norris between Brady Tkachuk and Ridly Greig, and Tim Stutzle between Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux. It’s something the Senators had looked at going back to after the 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders last Thursday.
Said Green: “I felt like we needed a different look. The Norris line had some good games, but I didn’t like their game for a couple of games in a row. We tried it at the end of the Islanders game. I liked the look of it, I liked it in practice.”
Article content
QUESTIONS FOR LEAFS
Forwards William Nylander and Max Domi skipped Monday’s practice, but the Leafs said both are expected to play against Ottawa. It should be noted, though, Nylander and Domi were given the “maintenance day” following a full day off for the team.
It seems highly unlikely captain Auston Matthews, who looked good in Saturday’s optional skate, will play versus the Senators. He didn’t practise Monday. If he misses the game, it will be his fourth straight one sidelined.
Defenceman Matt Benning was placed on waivers, which would clear the way for defenceman Jani Hakanpaa’s return this week. Hakanpaa played in two games with the Toronto Marlies on an LTIR conditioning loan.
Article content
THE QUOTE
“Playing the Leafs, it’s a big rivalry. We’ll have our energy, we’ll have our jam and we’ll be ready to go.”
- Senators centre Shane Pinto
THE LINEUPS
OTTAWA
Forwards
Tkachuk/Norris/Greig
Giroux/Stutzle/Batherson
Gregor/Pinto/Amadio
Cousins/Gaudette/MacEwen
Defence
Sanderson/Zub
Chabot/Jensen
Kleven/Hamonic
Goalies
Ullmark/Forsberg
TORONTO
Forwards
Knies/Domi/Marner
McMann/Tavares/Nylander
Robertson/Holmberg/Dewar
Lorentz/Kampf/Reaves
Defence
Rielly/Ekman-Larsson
Tanev/McCabe
Timmins/Benoit
Goalies
S