Intense Match Between Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens Sparks Controversy

The recent pre-season match between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre was marked by heated exchanges and contentious hits. The game saw tempers flare as players from both teams were involved in questionable conduct on the ice.

The incident that drew significant attention was a hit delivered by Ottawa Senators’ forward Ridley Greig to Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach, which targeted Dach’s head. In retaliation, Montreal’s defenseman Arber Xhekaj executed a forceful hit on Senators’ player Tim Stutzle as he attempted to enter the offensive zone. The severity of Xhekaj’s hit led to his ejection from the game.

The incident is now under review by the NHL’s head of discipline, George Parros, to determine any further consequences for the actions that unfolded during the match. Meanwhile, Toronto-based broadcaster Nick Alberga expressed a strong opinion on social media, calling for a “minimum 20-game suspension” for Xhekaj, arguing for a severe penalty.

However, Alberga’s stance has not been universally accepted. Many have countered his view, suggesting that it is excessively harsh. The video footage reviewed by fans and analysts shows that Xhekaj’s hit on Stutzle did not target the head as initially suspected, which has further fueled the debate over what constitutes appropriate disciplinary action.

The incident and the subsequent discussion have ignited intense debates among hockey fans and analysts about the boundaries of acceptable physical play in the NHL and have put disciplinary measures in the spotlight.