KANATA, Ont. — The Toronto Maple Leafs will keep their focus on trying to sweep the Ottawa Senators when the teams face off in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday. But Toronto head coach Craig Berube couldn't help but crack a smile as he was asked about the NHL investigating a pre-game incident allegedly involving Senators forward Nick Cousins firing a puck at Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in warmup.
"I don't think it's anything. I mean, they played together last year. I don't even know who did it or I don't know a lot about it, to be honest with you. I mean, the league will handle that," Berube said.
After discussing his team's performance, Berube recounted a story about being on the ice for a pre-game incident during his playing days. On Feb 21, 1992, Berube, then a player with the Flyers, was on the ice for warmups in a game against the New York Rangers. Berube recalled Acton firing pucks at the Rangers' side of the ice.
"I asked what are you doing? He said, 'I'm just getting them going'," Berube explained. "He was firing pucks the whole warmup. Finally, Tie takes a slapshot and hits Hexie (Ron Hextall) with the puck. So Hexie heads over and we have a melee at center ice."
A video of the incident from that evening surfaced, showing Hextall already at center ice trading shots before Berube stepped in.
Other Maple Leafs players also responded, expressing a lack of concern about the issue.
"I know they played together last year. I’ve definitely thrown a couple of pucks across the ice when I’ve played against some old teammates and whatnot, so nothing really there," Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo said. "I don’t think we need to focus on that very much and just continue to go forward with our process."
'It's An Active Investigation': How Senators Players Are Reacting to the Maple Leafs Puck Warmup Drama
KANATA, Ont. — Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green had some fun when asked about the NHL's investigation over a pre-game incident involving his club firing pucks at Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during warmup.
Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly is no stranger to altercations with the Senators, following his five-game suspension last season for cross-checking Ridly Greig in the head after the latter took a slapshot into an empty net.
"I didn’t see it. I think that happens a lot. It’s all good," Rielly commented.
Is this much ado about nothing?
After TSN's Darren Dreger's initial report that the Leafs were investigating the issue, the real question is why it was brought to the forefront. The Maple Leafs are in the driver's seat with a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series, and their attention doesn't have to be focused away from that.
Report: NHL Investigating Senators Firing Pucks At Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz In Game 3 Warmups
The NHL is reportedly investigating an incident between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs that occurred before Game 3.
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre.
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