Pontus Holmberg forced to drop the gloves after targeting Ridly Greig with a dirty hit
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pontus Holmberg targeted Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig with a dirty trip, likely stemming from last season's empty-net slap shot incident, and had to drop the gloves as a result.
Last season, the Battle of Ontario reached a new level of intensity, especially after Morgan Rielly's cross-check on Ridly Greig following an empty-net goal. That intensity carried over into this year's preseason.
In the first period, after falling behind, Holmberg saw an opportunity to take a shot at Greig. He grabbed Greig from behind and dragged him to the ice. Greig was left stunned and had to leave the game, not returning.
Holmberg received a two-minute minor penalty for roughing, but the Senators weren't satisfied with just that. In the third period, Cole Reinhardt, a 24-year-old rookie, tracked down Holmberg and forced him into a fight.
Reinhardt, no stranger to physical play, went up against Holmberg, who isn't known for fighting. Holmberg held his own but ultimately lost the bout. The Maple Leafs also lost the game 2-1, with the Senators scoring a shorthanded goal late in the third period.
The Leafs now drop to 0-1-1 in the preseason, losing both games to the Senators.
| POLL | ||
24 SEPTEMBRE | 120 ANSWERS Pontus Holmberg forced to drop the gloves after targeting Ridly Greig with a dirty hit Do you think Pontus Holmberg will get fined for this dirty play on Ridly Greig? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 41.7 % |
| No | 70 | 58.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
