Arr, ye scurvy dog Rielly be walkin' the plank! 5 games in the brig fer cross-checkin' a Senator in the face!
2024-02-14
Arrrrr, me mateys! Avast ye! The scurvy dog that be Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs hath been sent to Davy Jones' locker for a span of five games! 'Tis a punishment from the NHL for cross-checkin' the swashbucklin' rookie Ridly Greig of the Ottawa Senators, right after he slyly plundered an empty-net goal on a fine Saturday!
The NHL has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly for five games after a controversial cross-check on Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig. The incident occurred in the final moments of the game, with Greig having a breakaway towards an empty net. He decided to take a slap shot to secure the victory, but Rielly took offense and cross-checked him across the face. This sparked a fight between both teams as the horn sounded. The NHL Player Safety deemed Rielly's actions as intentional and forceful, stating that it was not a hockey play but rather a strike to an opponent's head using a stick as a weapon. Rielly, who has never been disciplined before, will be forfeiting a significant amount of money based on his average annual salary. He has the option to appeal the suspension, but the evidence against him is clear. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe defended Rielly's actions, stating that they were appropriate given the circumstances. Captain John Tavares also supported the team's decision to "stand their ground when necessary." Rookie Greig may not have been aware of the unwritten rules in the NHL, but his veteran teammate Claude Giroux understood why the incident occurred. Giroux acknowledged that emotions can sometimes get the better of players, leading to such actions. Ultimately, the suspension serves as a reminder that the NHL takes player safety seriously and will not tolerate dangerous or retaliatory plays.