Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Reilly will likely receive some disciplinary action from the NHL for cross-checking Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig in the face during the final seconds of Saturday night's game at the Canadian Tire Centre.
With the Senators leading 4-3, the Maple Leafs pulled goaltender Martin Jones for an extra skater in a last-ditch attempt to tie the game in regulation. The Leafs won a faceoff in the Senators zone with 41 seconds left in the game and managed to take two shots, with one blocked by goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and one blocked by the skate of Greig. The Senators managed to clear the puck to the other end of the ice with under 10 seconds left. Greig chased the puck and scored on the empty net with a slap shot.
The slap shot was probably unnecessary, as that can be looked at as taunting. Reilly certainly took exception to it, and as Greig turned and looked for some teammates to celebrate with, Reilly went after Greig and cross-checked him in the face. Greig fell to the ice and a scrum broke out between various Leafs and Senators players.
Reilly was given not only a cross-checking penalty, but a game misconduct. We would guess that he will also likely receive a multi-game suspension, as that was a dangerous play which was completely over the top.
We understand why Reilly was angry, but this went too far and it costs your team. He needs to be smarter than that. Certainly you can get in his face and make your feelings known, but cross-checking your opponent in the head is completely unnecessary.
UPDATE: We have acquired video featuring another angle of the cross-check, and it looks even worse:
Second angle on Morgan Rielly cross check on Ridly Greig #Sens #Leafs pic.twitter.com/0ueCMNF5Kt
— Tesla Canadian Dad (@TCD_Mike) February 11, 2024
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
