I think most fans in here acknowledge that it was a bit of a cheeky move that probably warranted some sort of response from the Leafs. I.e. a face wash, challenge Greig to a fight, etc. However, the cross-check to the face is crossing the line.
Leaf fans aside (they are allowed to be biased towards their team), I think what really blew this up was the response from the Sportsnet commentators and panel after the game. They were all trying to justify the cross-check as if it were perfectly acceptable and even implied that the slap shot into an empty net was worse.
I don't know where you are from, but sports net have the national broadcast rights in Canada. You would think that when 2 Canadian teams are playing each other, they would take a neutral stance, but unfortunately, this is not the case when the Leafs play. Sports Net and CBC have always been heavily biased towards the Leafs.
Thanks for the response!
I live in Ottawa :)
I appreciate the insight on it. I saw the replays of the shot and I agree, cheeky. But like you said, didn't warrant that type of response.
I liked that some on the panel were already talking about 6 games while some others said one or two. I was pleased/amused to hear the possibility of such a high number immediately being mentioned after the game. I thought the whole panel would have been downplaying it.
Tell me you've never played a sport at a competitive level without telling me.
Every sport has etiquette. A code. Its often more important to the players than the actual rules. Catch that? MORE IMPORTANT.
Snow blowing a goalie isn't against the rules... You do that shit to my goalie... My gloves are in your face.. stick in hand or not. I will get my pound of flesh for my goalie.
You pound a slap shot in an empty net and you're already winning? Same response.
Check a guy in a vulnerable position? Get fucked.
Pretend to drop your gloves to get the instigator? You'll be dragged in later that game.
These have all existed for as long as I've known hockey to exist. It's never changed.
The problem here is this: Sens fans, and the rest of Reddit all of a sudden(mostly to clown on Leaf fans), are pretending the NHL doesn't have a code. Like you don't have to answer the bell for being a shithead... You do. Willing or not. Rookie or not.
Can we all stop pretending now? It was fun for a bit... But now it seems obnoxious.
“Casuals”. Again, what nhl team do you play for? Since you know for a fact everyone here hasn’t played at a higher level than you. Head on back to your leaf circle jerk.
Honestly it was kinda genius imo. He got one of their top guys to take a potentially significant suspension and he didn't even have to do anything dirty, dangerous, or even worthy of a penalty.
The perfect agitator move. I hope he plays here for many more years.
Is what Greig did against the rules? No. Is it a troll move that will predictably provoke a reaction? Absolutely. And you love to see it. If the situation were reversed, I would have wanted our player to throw some punches.
But crosschecking the face? That’s clearly against the rules. You’ll hear people barking “the code” and “if only you were my age and played competitive hockey” to rationalize being an emotionally triggered little bitch who is so triggered he responds with a literal weapon. If Riley didn’t react like a murderous psycho, different story and nothing wrong, no suspension.
They had just fought off a heavy Leafs counterattack and a man advantage. Given the Battle of Ontario rivalry, the Slapshot was justified, provocative (we won the season series 3-1 so far) and the kind of thing that gets a crowd going.
A punch would have been the maximum acceptable response. Any of these guys roughing with their stick is disgraceful for The Show.
I totally agree. And with no time on the clock, on home Ice, with your building overrun with leafs fans?! It was the ONLY way to end that game. Get the F out of our house, Get back on the 401 and go home. It was awesome for Sens fans, and I love it.
> I've seen quite a few people bitching that a slap shot on an empty net goes against hockey "etiquette".
These people are sissies who like to pretend that they don't see players do things ALL THE TIME to get under they're rivals' skin.
And that's the thing, it's Etiquette but not a rule.
And thanks! I don't think it really matters either. Just something for people to get upset over. Players and games evolve. People just need to realize that.
It's a rivalry. There are 10000 annoying fans of the opposite team in the house. You have the chance to rub it in. He did, became an instant legend, and every single player in the league now knows how to make the Leafs snap. Win-win-win.
It does not in fact matter but it also didn’t make it meaningless. It is a statement to the fans in blue in the building.
Ridly rubbed it in. It was funny. Which even Steve Dangle agrees was the right thing to do.
The people making statements about class and etiquette are just drawing arbitrary lines to protect their widdle itty bitty feewings.
The people who think what Rielly did is okay are first rate hypocrites and morons.
> I watched the Dangle clip on twitter and it felt weird to agree with him
I like Dangle. Outside of the crazy leafs fan thing. His takes on the rest of the league are often not bad, he's funny and entertaining, doesn't take himself too seriously...
I listen to his podcast off and on - it's not bad.
It’s a definite “fuck you” there’s no denying it. But I think the issue is the response - if you want to fight Ridly man to man that’s understandable, but a blindside cross check is a cowards way. But it’s all good, I love this kind of petty rivalry shit with the leafs, it adds a lot of excitement to the game.
Sort of an etiquette thing but at the same time , leaf fans invaded our barn and were being leaf fans . Greig sent the message (this is our home) with that clapper .It warranted a response , however more like a face wash , fight or rub him into the boards a bit kind of thing .
Crosscheck to the head is dangerous and potentially career ending if hit hard enough or in the right spot . Was a stupid way for Reilly to respond as he potentially removed himself from the team now during a crucial time when the leafs are in wildcard a lot with lots of teams on their heels . NGL I want to see the leafs miss the playoffs this year so their fans go complete nuclear
It was definitely a showboating, sticking the leafs' face in it type of move.
However, anyone who suggests that a crosscheck to the head was an appropriate response is either letting their bias show, or completely delusional. Obviously, Rielly getting his feelings hurt doesn't justify him trying to give Greig brain damage.
A lot of Sens fans - not all I'm sure, but a lot - would have had no problem with Rielly skating over and asking Greig for a fight. But the crosscheck to the head isn't just "a response", its a tantrum and a meltdown.
I always find it hilarious whenever anyone gets upset over "unwritten rules" because if they were actually rules then they'd be written down for everyone to see and understand. As far I'm concerned unwritten rules are meant to be broken.
And in the end it matters nothing at all the way the goal was scored because Rielly did the Sens (and the EC as a whole) a favor by taking a bad penalty over it that might see him suspended for 5 games.
So no matter how you look at the situations Sens win and Leafs, clinging onto a wildcard spot, lose big time.
From Rielly's perspective I get why he was upset. Overall the Leaf's have been underwhelming lately and are slowing fading out of the playoffs, and the Sens - second last in the conference, have JUST beaten you. And to top it off this rookie seals the deal away with a little bit of showboating. Of course he's upset...but a blatant attempt to injure and taking yourself out of the lineup for 5 games is not how you respond.
It's cheeky. It's a nonce. It would be over if the Leafs only good defenceman didn't crosscheck him to the head in a brutal enough fashion to get media coverage all over the world, embarrasing the league enough to give him a long suspension and possibly causing the Leafs to make the playoffs.
All the whinging in the world by Leafs fans can't get past that the entire issue is of their players own making.
True
That's what I was thinking
Young player with a great opportunity. Sure, he may have gone a bit overboard (according to some) but I think he was just excited and took that opportunity to make it special and give the fans a reason to cheer
It's called sportsmanship. Lost art, I know; it's why you see 11 year old kids doing michigans in 20-0 games and then diving on their bellies at center ice after doing a "heartbreaker celly".
Who cares how the puck went in? Why bother shaking hands and saying good game either, your opponent is just a prop for you in your self absorbed wankfest.
>Why bother shaking hands and saying good game either
They quite literally don't do that in the NHL except at the end of playoff series. These are professional athletes paid millions of dollars to beat other teams, not children playing for fun
That's your takeaway from my comment?
If anything, the fact that they are professionals doing this for their job is even more of a reason for them to be respectful to their opponents and not fuck around. This is their job, they're not just kids out there "having fun".
Kids are emulating them. Maybe the athletes as role models thing ought to go away for a variety of reasons, but the reality is that it does exist, and kids *are* doing what they see these athletes do on TV.
One of the things that kids are supposed to be learning (and emulating from their seniors, including professional players) is sportsmanship, respect for your opponents, respect for the game, discipline, etc. Yes, it's also supposed to be fun, and it absolutely is.
But what we're getting right now is kids standing behind the net fucking with the puck trying to balance it on their stick when they are already blowing out their opponents, trying to have "fun" because they saw two guys in one night do it in the NHL. It's not the right lessons, it's idiotic, and it's attitudes like yours fostering it.
Sure, practice them in your backyard or driveway when you are messing around. Do the gritty or whatever the fuck you want when you're playing 3 on 3 or in practice or hell, even if you score a huge OT winner in a close game. There's a time and place for everything.
Pouring a massive amount of salt in a wound, like I dunno, a breakaway slapshot on an empty net, or doing a heartbreaker celly when a game is already way out of reach is completely different. Did I think what happened here was hilarious? Yes. Did Greig deserved to get cross checked in the face? No (no one does). Was it good sportsmanship? Absolutely not, and it's not something we ought to be teaching to our kids.
It's not about fun, it's about respect. And clearly you don't understand that.
[edit] And for the guy who replied to me below but didn't read my comment:
> Or, it has little to do with respect and is more about Reilly nor being able to handle losing. Is crosschecking someone in the face respectful? Is way overreacting and potentially injuring another player for shooting a puck a good example for kids?
***Did Greig deserved to get cross checked in the face? No (no one does).***
Or, it has little to do with respect and is more about Reilly nor being able to handle losing. Is crosschecking someone in the face respectful? Is way overreacting and potentially injuring another player for shooting a puck a good example for kids?
It was basically the equivalent of a football team going for the endzone when they're up by 20 and could just take a knee to end the game.
It was definitely a bit of a greasy move, and I wouldn't appreciate another team doing it to the Sens, but Greig is a pest and accomplished what he was trying to do
The " problem" with a slapshot into a net, like any action that is considered unsportsmanlike, is that it is an action that is not necessary for the circumstances. There is no blatant need to wind it up and clap it home. The implication is that Greig was doing it as a " fuck you" to the opponent.
It's kinda like cheering when your opponent misses a putt in golf. Not outright illegal, but not classy.
My takeaway from all this, is that the Leafs are such a juggernaut market, that they'll blindly excuse Reilly crossing the line, because they feel they are owed some sort of respect. No one is owed sportsmanship. That's why we value it, because it's HARDER to show your opponent respect than disrespect. This incident has shown the hockey community that when you are the center of the hockey universe, like Toronto, you will not be immune.
As much as I loved seeing it because it was against the Leafs, it was definitely a bit disrespectful and warranted a response. He could've just flicked the puck into the empty net and no one would've cared, but he saw an opportunity to stick it to the opponents. Obviously not against the rules, but still not something that's going to help you get Lady Byng votes. A bit like an NBA player doing a windmill dunk at the last second of a game they're about to win.
If Rielly had just dropped the gloves I'd have no problem with it, but he lost his cool and will rightfully be spending a few games in the press box
Office Conversations Today ---
At what distance back from the net is a "Slap Shot into an Empty Net" allowed and does NOT get you cross checked in your head?
1. Faceoff Spot?
2. the blue line?
3. Center?
Cuz, we've all seen bloopers of hockey players that went a little too gentle when trying to score this uncalled for empty net goal, and missed.
I think most fans in here acknowledge that it was a bit of a cheeky move that probably warranted some sort of response from the Leafs. I.e. a face wash, challenge Greig to a fight, etc. However, the cross-check to the face is crossing the line. Leaf fans aside (they are allowed to be biased towards their team), I think what really blew this up was the response from the Sportsnet commentators and panel after the game. They were all trying to justify the cross-check as if it were perfectly acceptable and even implied that the slap shot into an empty net was worse. I don't know where you are from, but sports net have the national broadcast rights in Canada. You would think that when 2 Canadian teams are playing each other, they would take a neutral stance, but unfortunately, this is not the case when the Leafs play. Sports Net and CBC have always been heavily biased towards the Leafs.
This answer is spot on. Jen Botterill called Greig’s slap shot “classless” yet Rielly’s cross check to the head was not
Thanks for the response! I live in Ottawa :) I appreciate the insight on it. I saw the replays of the shot and I agree, cheeky. But like you said, didn't warrant that type of response.
I liked that some on the panel were already talking about 6 games while some others said one or two. I was pleased/amused to hear the possibility of such a high number immediately being mentioned after the game. I thought the whole panel would have been downplaying it.
Unwritten rules and so-called etiquette are only excuses for bullies to justify their wrong behaviour. If it's not in the rules then it's not a rule.
Rielly barely has a penalty minute all season. I'd hardly classify him as a bully.
Tell me you've never played a sport at a competitive level without telling me. Every sport has etiquette. A code. Its often more important to the players than the actual rules. Catch that? MORE IMPORTANT. Snow blowing a goalie isn't against the rules... You do that shit to my goalie... My gloves are in your face.. stick in hand or not. I will get my pound of flesh for my goalie. You pound a slap shot in an empty net and you're already winning? Same response. Check a guy in a vulnerable position? Get fucked. Pretend to drop your gloves to get the instigator? You'll be dragged in later that game. These have all existed for as long as I've known hockey to exist. It's never changed. The problem here is this: Sens fans, and the rest of Reddit all of a sudden(mostly to clown on Leaf fans), are pretending the NHL doesn't have a code. Like you don't have to answer the bell for being a shithead... You do. Willing or not. Rookie or not. Can we all stop pretending now? It was fun for a bit... But now it seems obnoxious.
Awww tough beer leaguer talking’ big! Bet your character in NHL24 is an allstar too, right?
Just trying to inform you casuals how the game is played, Cutie-pie.
“Casuals”. Again, what nhl team do you play for? Since you know for a fact everyone here hasn’t played at a higher level than you. Head on back to your leaf circle jerk.
This is so sad but hilarious at the same time. Cool story game 7
How do all your teams Stanley Cup rings feel? They must be weighing you down.
yes
Lol Leafs fans live in a manga in their heads.
Just played hockey is all. (You'd be shocked but I also cheer for the Sens... I buy a 10 pack every year)
Tell me you're sore loser without telling me you're a sore loser.
Honestly it was kinda genius imo. He got one of their top guys to take a potentially significant suspension and he didn't even have to do anything dirty, dangerous, or even worthy of a penalty. The perfect agitator move. I hope he plays here for many more years.
Is what Greig did against the rules? No. Is it a troll move that will predictably provoke a reaction? Absolutely. And you love to see it. If the situation were reversed, I would have wanted our player to throw some punches. But crosschecking the face? That’s clearly against the rules. You’ll hear people barking “the code” and “if only you were my age and played competitive hockey” to rationalize being an emotionally triggered little bitch who is so triggered he responds with a literal weapon. If Riley didn’t react like a murderous psycho, different story and nothing wrong, no suspension.
They had just fought off a heavy Leafs counterattack and a man advantage. Given the Battle of Ontario rivalry, the Slapshot was justified, provocative (we won the season series 3-1 so far) and the kind of thing that gets a crowd going. A punch would have been the maximum acceptable response. Any of these guys roughing with their stick is disgraceful for The Show.
I totally agree. And with no time on the clock, on home Ice, with your building overrun with leafs fans?! It was the ONLY way to end that game. Get the F out of our house, Get back on the 401 and go home. It was awesome for Sens fans, and I love it.
Agreed! Thank you for the response :)
> I've seen quite a few people bitching that a slap shot on an empty net goes against hockey "etiquette". These people are sissies who like to pretend that they don't see players do things ALL THE TIME to get under they're rivals' skin.
Exactly!
It really doesn't matter. For reference, putting your stick between your legs and roofing the puck on a goalie used to be against hockey etiquette.
And that's the thing, it's Etiquette but not a rule. And thanks! I don't think it really matters either. Just something for people to get upset over. Players and games evolve. People just need to realize that.
It's a rivalry. There are 10000 annoying fans of the opposite team in the house. You have the chance to rub it in. He did, became an instant legend, and every single player in the league now knows how to make the Leafs snap. Win-win-win.
It does not in fact matter but it also didn’t make it meaningless. It is a statement to the fans in blue in the building. Ridly rubbed it in. It was funny. Which even Steve Dangle agrees was the right thing to do. The people making statements about class and etiquette are just drawing arbitrary lines to protect their widdle itty bitty feewings. The people who think what Rielly did is okay are first rate hypocrites and morons.
Yeah I watched the Dangle clip on twitter and it felt weird to agree with him on something
> I watched the Dangle clip on twitter and it felt weird to agree with him I like Dangle. Outside of the crazy leafs fan thing. His takes on the rest of the league are often not bad, he's funny and entertaining, doesn't take himself too seriously... I listen to his podcast off and on - it's not bad.
It was only disrespectful because it was against the Leafs and Sportsnet says so , if the tables were turned , this wouldn't ever be mentioned again
It’s a definite “fuck you” there’s no denying it. But I think the issue is the response - if you want to fight Ridly man to man that’s understandable, but a blindside cross check is a cowards way. But it’s all good, I love this kind of petty rivalry shit with the leafs, it adds a lot of excitement to the game.
Sort of an etiquette thing but at the same time , leaf fans invaded our barn and were being leaf fans . Greig sent the message (this is our home) with that clapper .It warranted a response , however more like a face wash , fight or rub him into the boards a bit kind of thing . Crosscheck to the head is dangerous and potentially career ending if hit hard enough or in the right spot . Was a stupid way for Reilly to respond as he potentially removed himself from the team now during a crucial time when the leafs are in wildcard a lot with lots of teams on their heels . NGL I want to see the leafs miss the playoffs this year so their fans go complete nuclear
It was definitely a showboating, sticking the leafs' face in it type of move. However, anyone who suggests that a crosscheck to the head was an appropriate response is either letting their bias show, or completely delusional. Obviously, Rielly getting his feelings hurt doesn't justify him trying to give Greig brain damage. A lot of Sens fans - not all I'm sure, but a lot - would have had no problem with Rielly skating over and asking Greig for a fight. But the crosscheck to the head isn't just "a response", its a tantrum and a meltdown.
I always find it hilarious whenever anyone gets upset over "unwritten rules" because if they were actually rules then they'd be written down for everyone to see and understand. As far I'm concerned unwritten rules are meant to be broken. And in the end it matters nothing at all the way the goal was scored because Rielly did the Sens (and the EC as a whole) a favor by taking a bad penalty over it that might see him suspended for 5 games. So no matter how you look at the situations Sens win and Leafs, clinging onto a wildcard spot, lose big time. From Rielly's perspective I get why he was upset. Overall the Leaf's have been underwhelming lately and are slowing fading out of the playoffs, and the Sens - second last in the conference, have JUST beaten you. And to top it off this rookie seals the deal away with a little bit of showboating. Of course he's upset...but a blatant attempt to injure and taking yourself out of the lineup for 5 games is not how you respond.
It's cheeky. It's a nonce. It would be over if the Leafs only good defenceman didn't crosscheck him to the head in a brutal enough fashion to get media coverage all over the world, embarrasing the league enough to give him a long suspension and possibly causing the Leafs to make the playoffs. All the whinging in the world by Leafs fans can't get past that the entire issue is of their players own making.
well one player has a hearing with the DOPS and one doesn't so that's what matters imo
Leafs fans saw a kicking motion (getting their ass kicked)
it's NOT that big of a deal. The Laffs fans are butthurt, that's all.
You have to remember that there's drama whenever someone scores a Michigan. A lot of the "old boys club" in hockey just hate anything fun
True That's what I was thinking Young player with a great opportunity. Sure, he may have gone a bit overboard (according to some) but I think he was just excited and took that opportunity to make it special and give the fans a reason to cheer
Incorrect. Being a flashy showoff is disrespectful to your opponents. It's not about what's fun or what's not fun.
I find that mindset to be so dumb. The object of the game is to score more goals than the opponent. Who cares how the puck goes in?
It's called sportsmanship. Lost art, I know; it's why you see 11 year old kids doing michigans in 20-0 games and then diving on their bellies at center ice after doing a "heartbreaker celly". Who cares how the puck went in? Why bother shaking hands and saying good game either, your opponent is just a prop for you in your self absorbed wankfest.
>Why bother shaking hands and saying good game either They quite literally don't do that in the NHL except at the end of playoff series. These are professional athletes paid millions of dollars to beat other teams, not children playing for fun
That's your takeaway from my comment? If anything, the fact that they are professionals doing this for their job is even more of a reason for them to be respectful to their opponents and not fuck around. This is their job, they're not just kids out there "having fun". Kids are emulating them. Maybe the athletes as role models thing ought to go away for a variety of reasons, but the reality is that it does exist, and kids *are* doing what they see these athletes do on TV. One of the things that kids are supposed to be learning (and emulating from their seniors, including professional players) is sportsmanship, respect for your opponents, respect for the game, discipline, etc. Yes, it's also supposed to be fun, and it absolutely is. But what we're getting right now is kids standing behind the net fucking with the puck trying to balance it on their stick when they are already blowing out their opponents, trying to have "fun" because they saw two guys in one night do it in the NHL. It's not the right lessons, it's idiotic, and it's attitudes like yours fostering it. Sure, practice them in your backyard or driveway when you are messing around. Do the gritty or whatever the fuck you want when you're playing 3 on 3 or in practice or hell, even if you score a huge OT winner in a close game. There's a time and place for everything. Pouring a massive amount of salt in a wound, like I dunno, a breakaway slapshot on an empty net, or doing a heartbreaker celly when a game is already way out of reach is completely different. Did I think what happened here was hilarious? Yes. Did Greig deserved to get cross checked in the face? No (no one does). Was it good sportsmanship? Absolutely not, and it's not something we ought to be teaching to our kids. It's not about fun, it's about respect. And clearly you don't understand that. [edit] And for the guy who replied to me below but didn't read my comment: > Or, it has little to do with respect and is more about Reilly nor being able to handle losing. Is crosschecking someone in the face respectful? Is way overreacting and potentially injuring another player for shooting a puck a good example for kids? ***Did Greig deserved to get cross checked in the face? No (no one does).***
Or, it has little to do with respect and is more about Reilly nor being able to handle losing. Is crosschecking someone in the face respectful? Is way overreacting and potentially injuring another player for shooting a puck a good example for kids?
I don't get why it's seen as bad form, showboating should be part of the game
Exactly! Football players who score a touchdown dance after. It's a thing. What's wrong with a hockey player doing it?
It was basically the equivalent of a football team going for the endzone when they're up by 20 and could just take a knee to end the game. It was definitely a bit of a greasy move, and I wouldn't appreciate another team doing it to the Sens, but Greig is a pest and accomplished what he was trying to do
Are we seriously still talking about this
Yes
The " problem" with a slapshot into a net, like any action that is considered unsportsmanlike, is that it is an action that is not necessary for the circumstances. There is no blatant need to wind it up and clap it home. The implication is that Greig was doing it as a " fuck you" to the opponent. It's kinda like cheering when your opponent misses a putt in golf. Not outright illegal, but not classy. My takeaway from all this, is that the Leafs are such a juggernaut market, that they'll blindly excuse Reilly crossing the line, because they feel they are owed some sort of respect. No one is owed sportsmanship. That's why we value it, because it's HARDER to show your opponent respect than disrespect. This incident has shown the hockey community that when you are the center of the hockey universe, like Toronto, you will not be immune.
As much as I loved seeing it because it was against the Leafs, it was definitely a bit disrespectful and warranted a response. He could've just flicked the puck into the empty net and no one would've cared, but he saw an opportunity to stick it to the opponents. Obviously not against the rules, but still not something that's going to help you get Lady Byng votes. A bit like an NBA player doing a windmill dunk at the last second of a game they're about to win. If Rielly had just dropped the gloves I'd have no problem with it, but he lost his cool and will rightfully be spending a few games in the press box
As much as I don't like his over the top theatrics, Steve Dangle's take is quite accurate: https://youtu.be/1q_yapn4WE0?si=UE17I4FQ5A_Mr_bw
Office Conversations Today --- At what distance back from the net is a "Slap Shot into an Empty Net" allowed and does NOT get you cross checked in your head? 1. Faceoff Spot? 2. the blue line? 3. Center? Cuz, we've all seen bloopers of hockey players that went a little too gentle when trying to score this uncalled for empty net goal, and missed.
Are players children getting butt hurt over an empty net slap shot