Mendes on NHL: How Leafs-Sens rivalry began

The rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs was born 10 years ago today.

On May 10, 2002, Daniel Alfredsson delivered a controversial hit on Darcy Tucker in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series, officially launching the hatred and animosity that would come to characterize subsequent meetings in the Battle of Ontario.

In the eyes of Senators’ fans, Alfredsson delivered a legal check to Tucker at the side boards with two minutes to play. To Leafs’ fans, the hit from Alfredsson was not only vicious and dirty — it was magnified by Alfredsson’s game-winning goal scored a few seconds later, while Tucker lay helpless on the ice. While some Ottawa fans immediately accused Tucker of faking the injury, it should be noted that he missed the next three games with a shoulder injury from that hit.

So with the benefit of a decade’s worth of hindsight, it’s fair to say the referees missed that call. Let’s put it this way: If the roles were reversed and Tucker hit Alfredsson in that manner, it would have been a clear-cut penalty.

But we’re not here to debate that hit or the possible missed call. Nor are we here to proclaim that as Juha Ylonen’s greatest moment as a Senator — because he did set up Alfredsson for the game-winning goal.

Instead, we’re here to discuss the significance of that moment in relation to the Leafs-Sens rivalry. Prior to the Alfredsson hit on Tucker this rivalry had lacked substance. Sure, they had met twice before in the playoffs, but other than Senators goalie Tom Barrasso swearing during a live TV interview, you’re hard-pressed to recall any significant moments from the playoff meetings in 2000 and 2001. Cory Cross’ overtime winner in the 2001 playoffs just isn’t a timeless classic — especially for those of us living in the 613-area code. Before the Alfredsson hit on Tucker, the most memorable incident between the Leafs and Sens was Marian Hossa’s high-stick to Bryan Berard’s eye in Ottawa. But that episode was created by accident — not malice.

That all changed with the moment Alfredsson smoked Tucker. Virtually every memorable moment in the Leafs-Sens rivalry came after the Alfredsson-Tucker hit. Ricard Persson’s hit on Tie Domi. Darcy Tucker, Chris Neil and the magic loogie. Alfredsson’s fake stick toss to make fun of Mats Sundin. Zdeno Chara ragdolling Bryan McCabe. Domi fighting Magnus Arvedson. Joe Nieuwendyk’s goals on Patrick Lalime in Game 7. Owen Nolan “boo-hooing” the flu-ridden Sens. Mark Bell’s takedown of Alfredsson and Fisher.

It’s no coincidence these moments came after Alfredsson on Tucker because that was the watershed moment for this rivalry. It’s the reason why Leafs fans boo Alfredsson every time he touches the puck on the road — or even more embarrassingly at home — during the Battle of Ontario. The venom towards Alfredsson was so great that the Toronto Raptors routinely flashed his image on the big screen at the ACC when opposition players were at the free throw line. Unless you can find a photo of Vince Carter high-fiving Kerry Fraser, there’s no better way to rile up a Toronto sports fan than to mention Daniel Alfredsson.

And it all started 10 years ago today.

So if you see a Leafs fan, make sure you wish them a “Happy Alfie Tucker Day.” They’ll know what you’re talking about.

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