Craig Berube Puts Leafs on High Alert as Game 2 of the Battle of Ontario Nears
Craig Berube gave his Maple Leafs a bit of a warning ahead of Game Two knowing exactly how his opponents are going to come out at the start.
It was a pretty easy game all things considered for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Facing off against provincial rivals Ottawa, the team dominated the Senators from pillar to post, and created a high intensity atmosphere that had tension you could cut with a knife.
It was a bit of a violent game towards the end, and the 52 PIM amassed by both squads just shows how important the game meant to them, even if it involved being a little rough and tumble at times.
But Ottawa was embarrassed last game, and they won't be sitting around quietly when they head into Game Two in Toronto.
Which is why Craig Berube tried to give his team a warning ahead of their matchup, and told them they need to essentially have eyes in the back of their head, because Ottawa might be taking things a little more personal now:
We'll get a good push from the Senators. They're going to be better. We might not get all the power plays we had last game. The start is crucial.
However, this is Berube's first taste of the Battle of Ontario and finally became aware of the animosity between the two and for a former enforcer? It's right up his alley:
I didn't understand it at first. But there's some hatred there for sure. I enjoy it.
But it's a warning the Maple Leafs need to heed. Ottawa isn't necessarily the most polite team to begin with, and then to be humiliated against your rivals, and losing your focus means that you're out for revenge.
Though they won't be the only ones out for vengeance. Ridly Greig was a pest all night against the Maple Leafs, and when he wasn't busy trying to decapitate John Tavares, he was sliding feet first into Anthony Stolarz.
He was busy being a menace all night, and felt like he needed to pull his best Brad Marchand impression, but it's going to come at a cost. Several Maple Leafs are aware of Greig's indecent actions and have one focus: payback.
So as excited Toronto is given the momentum they currently have, they can't get too far ahead of themselves and think that Ottawa is a cakewalk. They are going to be as angry as they are hungry.
So maybe Berube's message can give Toronto the chance to take the first bite out of the Senators and keep them at bay once again.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 22 | 508 ANSWERS Craig Berube Puts Leafs on High Alert as Game 2 of the Battle of Ontario Nears Do you think Toronto needs to be on high alert for the Senators? | ||
| Yes | 449 | 88.4 % |
| No | 59 | 11.6 % |
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