‘I have to do a better job controlling my emotions’: Senators’ Ridly Greig on upcoming hearing

A player is attempting to show remorse for his careless actions.

When speaking to the media during the team’s end-of-season media availability, Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig was asked about his actions in Game 4 of the Metropolitan Division Semifinal, when he was seen throwing sucker punches at Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.

“I have to do a better job controling my emotions there,” Greig said. That’s all I will say about it.”

During what ended up being the final game of the series, a scrum broke out at center ice near the halfway mark of the second period. Greig, who has earned a reputation for stirring up trouble, was seen throwing haymakers to a defenseless Walker, who was already tied up with Senators forward Warren Foegle.

There was no call on the play, as the refs were busy dealing with other altercations during the donnybrook. Carolina went on to win the game, 4-2, completing the four-game sweep. On Sunday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Greig will have a hearing for his actions. During his availability, the 23-year-old mentioned that he doesn’t know exactly when the hearing will be held, only that it’s supposed to take place either later this week or next.

Greig was asked whether he had seen any reaction to the incident on social media. He shrugged it off, stating that he isn’t on the apps enough to have seen anything.

“Thankfully, I’ve never really been a huge social media person. So yeah, I try to stay off everything. [The attention] doesn’t really bother me too much.”

Greig has never faced supplemental discipline in his NHL career. He posted one assist in the series against the Hurricanes, after matching a career-high 13 goals during the regular season, while posting 22 assists and a career-best 35 points.