Senators suffer two setbacks to Leafs in pre-season play

The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs held a pre-season version of their rivalry with split-squad games at the Canadian Tire Centre and at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

In front of an announced crowd of 11,765 at the Canadian Tire Centre, Ryan Tveberg scored the winner late in the third period to give the Leafs a 4-2 victory over the Senators.

The group that the Senators sent to Toronto was hammered 6-1 by the Leafs.

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There wasn’t much intensity in Ottawa or Toronto, but that should change the next time these teams meet. The Senators will open their regular season against the Maple Leafs on Oct. 3 in Toronto. That will be Toronto’s third regular-season game.

The Leafs essentially sent the Marlies to Ottawa, while the Senators went with a mix of their opening night rosters and prospects in both cities. Coach Travis Green said that the organization felt that was the best way to get a look at everybody.

“You go back and forth, and you think about it all summer when you have a split game, whether to load up one team, load up another team, send your good team on the road, or (play them) at home,” said Green. “Our preference is to split them up as best we can.”

This night was proof as to why the National Hockey League has limited the length of camp and cut down on pre-season games.

Through 40 minutes, only Dylan Cozens had beaten Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz, and the two clubs were tied 1-1.

“We’re just trying to get better with the details and focus on getting our system right,” said Cozens.

The shots were 14-14, and there wasn’t a whole lot happening. Ottawa’s Sammy Blais made his presence felt by delivering a big hit and dropping the gloves, but that was the highlight.

Green confirmed on Wednesday that defenceman Artem Zub won’t play in the season opener. To make the scenario a little more interesting, Jake Sanderson and Jordan Spence are also nursing minor ailments.

Zub is still nursing a knee injury he suffered in the playoffs last spring, and the Senators insisted he would be ready to start the season. Since that’s not happening, veteran Ben Hutton is pushing for a contract, while prospect Carter Yakemchuk is trying to lock up a spot.

Hutton was with veteran Cameron Crotty in a pairing in Ottawa, while Tyler Kleven skated with Yakemchuk in the first pairing in Toronto. Nikolas Matinpalo can also take on more responsibility, but there is a scenario where Hutton earns a contract.