.png)
3 days ago
2
Article content
Ridly Greig will miss the start of next season due to a suspension.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited digital access to the Ottawa Citizen.
- Analysis on all things Ottawa by Bruce Deachman, Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, and others, award-winning newsletters and virtual events.
- Opportunity to engage with our commenting community.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper.
- Ottawa Citizen App.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
- Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
- Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Register to unlock this article — it’s free
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The Ottawa Senators winger had his hearing with the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety on Monday and was given an two-game ban for his sucker-punch to the head of Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Sean Walker.
Article content
Article content
The incident occurred during the club’s season-ending 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the first-round series on April 25 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Article content
Article content
The hearing was held on Zoom, which meant that Greig couldn’t receive a suspension of more than five games.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
“This is roughing,” the league said in its decision. “It’s important to note that this isn’t a situation where two players are squaring off in a mutual confrontation, only for the confrontation to escalate rapidly.
Article content
“In this situation, Walker is fully engaged with (Warren Foegele) when Greig knowingly approaches them and elects to throw two sucker punches towards the defenceless Walker with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline.”
Article content
Since the Senators were swept from the playoffs by Carolina, there was no rush to have the hearing. Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, was overseas at the IIHF U18 world championship that wrapped up on Sunday.
Article content
The hockey world was incensed after Greig punched Walker while Foegele was gripping him during a melee in the second period after Tyler Kleven hit Carolina defenceman Alexander Nikishin so hard that he suffered a concussion.
Article content
Foegele had Walker in a headlock when Greig delivered the punch.
Article content
Article content
“I have to do a better job controlling my emotions,” Greig said following the club’s exit meetings on Monday. “That’s all I will say about it.”
Article content
Article content
A league executive believed that the department of player safety would let the incident pass without any punishment, but the immediate outrage in media circles was such that the league felt it couldn’t ignore it.
Article content
The response was visceral.
Article content
“This was gutless and disgusting,” Hockey Night in Canada’s Kelly Hrudey told the audience following Game 4. “That is so dirty for Ridly Greig. That’s just awful.”
Article content
Hrudey even applauded Walker hitting Greig from behind later in the game.
Article content
“I love that when a guy gets retribution,” said Hrudey. “If you’re going to do that, then you deserve that back.”
Article content
This isn’t Greig’s first infraction. He was suspended for two games to start the 2021-22 campaign after he cross-checked Pierre-Luc Dubois, then of the Winnipeg Jets, during a pre-season game. Greig was suspended for one game to finish the exhibition season and the first game of the year.
Article content
Depth departs
Article content
One player who won’t be back next season is winger Olle Lycksell.
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·