Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Senators' Ridly Greig Breaks Silence on Becoming Maple Leafs' Public Enemy No. 1

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 5:30 AM ET

Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig has drawn a lot of attention from Toronto Maple Leafs fans following his actions in Games 1 and 2 of the first-round series, but the 22-year-old appears unfazed by his growing villain status.

After delivering a hard cross-check to John Tavares in Game 1, Greig escalated tensions further by colliding with Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz late in the series opener.

Then, in Game 2, Greig entered the Leafs' blue paint, drawing a physical response from the Leafs' netminder in retaliation. Stolarz threw multiple stick jabs and a shoulder check, which drew loud cheers from the Scotiabank Arena crowd.

Asked postgame about becoming a target in Toronto, Greig downplayed the attention, per TSN's Mark Masters.

Ridly Greig on emerging as public enemy No. 1 in Toronto: "I don’t spend too much time on social media so I could care less"

on his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs: "I don’t think I’ve ever had that much fun playing hockey"https://t.co/c3OOZBLbrX
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 23, 2025

“I don’t spend too much time on social media, so I could care less to be honest,” Greig said about becoming Toronto's "Public Enemy No. 1" following Tuesday's loss. “It’s certainly a lot of fun. Can’t remember the last two games.

”I don’t think I’ve ever had that much fun playing hockey.”

Throughout two games, Greig has scored one goal and logged over 17 minutes of ice time per game.

Greig's playoff debut comes a year after an empty-net goal against Toronto sparked a cross-check from Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly, in what is the first chapter of his contentious history with the Leafs.

Toronto players and staff responded calmly to the ongoing clash between Greig and the Maple Leafs nation as the series shifts to Ottawa.

“I’ve seen that (behavior) in junior (hockey), too,” Mitch Marner said about the Stolarz-Greig altercation. “(Stolarz) is a big man. He sticks up for himself.”

“I think it gets annoying after a while, right?” head coach Craig Berube said. “I really don’t have a problem with it.”

Stolarz, who made 26 saves in Game 2, also addressed the incident after the second win in a row for the Maple Leafs this postseason.

“I was just caught up in the heat of the battle,” Stolarz said. “I didn’t even know who it was.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: