Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly sparks brawl with cheap shot after empty-net goal

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 2/11/24

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly took exception to the way an opponent scored an empty-net goal on Saturday night, and he decided to respond by delivering a cheap shot.

Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig intercepted a pass for a breakaway with seconds left and scored an empty-net goal to seal a 5-3 win for his team over Toronto. Rather than gently placing the puck into the net, Greig decided to fire a slapshot to put the exclamation point on the victory.

Rielly felt that the act was disrespectful, so he skated after Greig and buried him with a cheap shot. Greig appeared to hit his head on the boards and a brawl ensued.

Ridly Greig buries the empty-netter with a slapshot and Morgan Rielly takes exception pic.twitter.com/6NISK4AMSt

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 11, 2024

Rielly obviously believed Greig was showboating and should pay the price. The NHL Department of Player Safety disagrees, as Greig has already been offered an in-person meeting and will likely be suspended.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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