SNAPSHOTS: Brendan Gallagher accuses Tim Stuetzle of being a diver

Article content

MONTREAL— Brendan Gallagher is tired of Tim Stuetzle’s act

Article content

The Montreal Canadiens winger lashed out at the Senators’ sophomore superstar after Ottawa scored a 6-3 victory Tuesday night at the Bell Center.

A frustrated Gallagher didn’t like the way the game finished when he ended up with a 10-minute misconduct after getting into a wrestling match with Stuetzle in the final minute.

The boos at the rink were loud when Stuetzle landed in the crosshairs of Habs fans with his standout effort in victory. Not only did he score his 15th of the year, he also drew two penalties, including one on an ugly and dangerous knee he took from winger Nick Suzukii beat in the second period.

Though Stuetzle got up and was fine, the club also scored after he took a high stick on a delayed penalty. By the end of the night, Montreal fans and Gallagher had seen enough of Stuetzle.

Article content

“When I was 10 years old, our coach had a rule,” said Livid Gallagher. “If you lay on the ice — we didn’t have trainers — if the coach had to come on the ice and get you, you’re too hurt to play. You had to sit for a minimum three shifts.”

“(Stuetzle is) a great player. I’ve played against him for two, three years now. More than half the games we’ve played against him, he’s laid on the ice and he’s right back out there next shift. He lays on the ice. He acts like he’s hurt. He sells the call. He’s on the ice that same power play. You know, there’s kids watching. We’re role models.

“If I was a teammate of his, I’d tell him to smarten up. It’s just not a good look. Very talented player, very good player. He needs to stop laying on the ice. It’s embarrassing.”

Article content

Nobody is sure Gallagher, given the way he plays, should be throwing these kinds of darts, but he did and it does make for great copy and arguments at the water coolers or on Zoom calls.

It felt like the Habs decided to target Stuetzle and his approach worked to a charm.

“He’s a top player so it would be stupid for a team not to go after him,” captain Brady Tkachuk said. “He handles it perfectly. Of course, they got that little trip in there at the end of the second.

“He’s such a big part of our team and he doesn’t back away from anybody, which you could see at the end of the game. We’ve all got his back from him and I think that shows. Everybody was ready to go to the end. He’s such a great player and we’re so lucky to have him. He’s going to be such a big star.”

Article content

If the Senators and Habs face off in the playoffs down the road, you could see Stuetzle being a villain. He was smiling after his tussle with Gallagher at the end of the game.

Tkachuk appreciated that move.

“I loved it. He’s feisty, competitive and he wants to win. He doesn’t shy away from any of that. He came out smiling and chirping. I thought that was hilarious,” said Tkachuk.

A STRONG ADDITION

Travis Hamonic has been a breath of fresh air on the Senators’ blueline.

Acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick at the NHL trade deadline, Hamonic has been solid, consistent and business-like in his approach under coach DJ Smith.

“DJ is a coach, with his style of play, that would suit me at this point in my career,” said Hamonic. “I’m not re-inventing the wheel. I am what I am as a player. I know that most nights if I’m probably not getting noticed that’s a good thing.

Article content

“If I am getting noticed, that’s not a good thing. You just go out there and try to be steady and do your thing within the system. These are systems I’ve played in the past and I feel like they suit the strengths of my game. I know what I need to do out there to be an effective player.”

The 20 games he suits up with the Senators will help him coming into next year.

“You get to see how the organization runs first hand and that’s really important for me,” said Hamonic. “I spent all those years in New York and I got traded to Calgary in the summer, and I don’t think I ever appreciated how hard it is to adjust sometimes to new surroundings or situations.

“We see other players do it and I don’t think we give them enough credit for how to adjust. For me to come in, at this point of the season, and really adjust and get familiar with everybody is just really good for me. I play my best when I’m comfortable on and off the ice. To get acclimatized right now is better than coming in during the summer.”

Article content

THE LAST WORDS

The Senators launched their season-ticket renewal campaign for 2022-23 on April 1.

The club is encouraging those who want to renew to do so by April 29 so they can receive a five per cent discount. The program is called “Don’t Miss a Moment” and offers season-ticket holders several options to choose from.

“In addition to saving between 15-and-20 percent on single-game tickets and a benefits package that includes exclusive events, priority access to playoff tickets and Canadian Tire Center events, post-season savings, parking discounts, 20 percent concession savings, 30 percent merchandise savings, referral credits, ticketing resale tools,” the club said in its release.

[email protected]

Twitter: @sungarrioch