'Just a good, friendly, competitive battle': Physicality ramps up at Ottawa Senators training camp

Eyebrows were raised inside Bell Sensplex’s glass-windowed viewing areas on Saturday morning as the intensity at Ottawa Senators training camp escalated.

A cluster of minor-hockey players trying to pick out their favourite NHLers in the Black vs. White scrimmage were exhilarated to see Nick Cousins launch himself into rookie defenceman Hoyt Stanley on the forecheck. Ridly Greig, Stanley’s teammate for the session, returned the favour moments later.

“J ust a good, friendly, competitive battle,” Greig said. “(Cousins) is always a lot of fun to play against.

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“ I thought the physicality definitely took a step today in the scrimmage.”

Tim Stutzle and Fabian Zetterlund exchanged big hits along the walls. Six-seven Gabriel Eliasson took down newcomer Eskild Bakke Olsen in one corner and refused to let him get back up on his skates before delivering a few more shoves.

Over two intra-squad scrimmages, there have been plenty of jawing, staredowns and extra shots. No infighting — just everyone pushing each other.

“E ven our top guys like Timmy and Drake (Batherson) are throwing around the body,” defenceman Tyler Kleven said. “ They’re playing hard, and that’s leadership. I think that everyone needs to buy into the physical aspect and be a hardworking team.”

Said centre Dylan Cozens: “ I think that’s a big part of our identity, wearing teams down and playing hard and playing that physical game. T here’s a lot of guys out there laying the body and trying to be physical. I think that’s good. That’s what (the coaches) want from us.”

Even Stephen Halliday has been unusually feisty and aggressive. On Friday, rugged winger Hayden Hodgson looked like he wanted to rip Halliday’s head off after being buried into the end boards by the 24-year-old playmaker. Hodgson proceeded to deal Halliday a few cross-checks to the back and then ran into everything that dared move for the next two shifts.