In a heated showdown during the Battle of Ontario on Saturday night, tensions between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs boiled over, sparking renewed animosity between the longtime rivals.
Initially, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe ignited controversy by endorsing defenseman Morgan Rielly's actions, which have since resulted in the anticipation of a significant suspension. However, the Senators wasted no time in retaliating, seizing an opportunity to escalate the feud.
In a calculated move, the Senators capitalized on their victory by awarding forward Ridly Greig the "Performer of the Game" award, citing his decisive slap shot into the empty Leafs net in the waning seconds of the match. Notably, the inclusion of a sponsor in the award announcement added an extra layer of deliberate provocation to the gesture.
The Senators' strategic trolling represents a clear attempt to intensify the longstanding rivalry between the two teams, ensuring that the animosity between Ottawa and Toronto continues to simmer long after the final buzzer sounds.
