Over twenty years ago, a regular-season game in early March saw Toronto Maple Leafs forward Travis Green ignite a firestorm by gesturing and shouting at the Ottawa bench. Chaos erupted as Darcy Tucker reached over the boards to trade punches with Chris Neil, leading to a bench-clearing brawl, 74 penalty minutes, and game misconducts for Tucker, Neil, Tie Domi, and Shane Hnidy.
This was the Battle of Ontario at its fiercest. The brawl occurred just a year after these provincial rivals clashed in three consecutive playoff series, and they would face off again the following season, with Toronto emerging victorious in all four series.
Now, 21 years since their last playoff encounter, the Battle of Ontario is reignited in 2025, featuring some familiar figures.
Travis Green, the instigator from those past clashes, now stands behind the Ottawa bench as their head coach. Neil and former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson are part of Ottawa`s front office. Toronto`s lineup still includes a Domi, this time Tie`s son, Max.
Given the echoes of the past surrounding this series, let`s revisit key moments from the last four playoff editions of the Toronto-Ottawa rivalry as the Battle of Ontario is set to resume with Game 1 on Sunday night in Toronto.
2000: Thomas the Clutch Hero
The 2000 Eastern Conference first round was tied 2-2 as the series returned to Toronto. Game 5 went into overtime, featuring a spectacular goaltending duel between Toronto`s Curtis Joseph and Ottawa`s Tom Barrasso.
Then, Toronto`s Steve Thomas lived up to his reputation for clutch performances.
Over 14 minutes into overtime, Joseph`s turnover behind his net nearly cost Toronto the game. However, Danny Markov cleared the rebound, and Sergei Berezin sped up the ice.
Thomas, who had already scored late in the third to force overtime, charged down the right wing alongside Berezin. Outskating a Senators defender, Thomas deflected Berezin`s cross-ice pass past Barrasso for the game-winner.
This was one of Thomas`s six goals in the series and one of his 78 career game-winning goals. Over 18 percent of his goals were game-winners, compared to Alex Ovechkin`s 15 percent, the all-time leader in this category.
Thomas was indeed a clutch player.
2001: Cujo Sparks the Sweep
The Leafs and Senators met again in the first round the following year, with Toronto as the underdog, seeded seventh in the East against Ottawa`s second seed and a 0-5 regular-season record against the Senators.
Curtis Joseph turned the tables. In Game 1, he shut out Ottawa in a 1-0 overtime victory. In Game 2, despite being heavily outshot, Joseph made 37 saves for another shutout.
Joseph, at 33, set the tone for the series.
Toronto swept the series, with Joseph allowing only three goals on 123 shots, boasting a .976 save percentage.
2002: Alfredsson’s Controversial Seven Seconds
In the 2002 Eastern Conference semifinals, Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson intensified the rivalry, becoming a public enemy for Leafs fans. Game 5 was tied 2-2 late in the game. With 2:10 remaining, Darcy Tucker was along the boards when Alfredsson hit him from behind. Tucker fell, and as Ottawa moved the puck, Alfredsson scored.
While Alfredsson celebrated, Tucker remained injured on the ice. Toronto fans booed, and the Leafs protested the missed penalty. The goal stood, giving Ottawa the lead and putting them one win from the Eastern Conference Final.
Tucker missed the next three games and later revealed a broken shoulder from the hit.
Game 6 also featured a hit from behind, this time by Ricard Persson on Tie Domi, resulting in a major penalty and game misconduct. Toronto capitalized on the power play, winning the game and the series.
Big hits were pivotal in the 2002 series.
2004: Ottawa Turns the Tide… Sort Of
The last playoff series between these teams began with off-ice drama. Earlier in the season, Leafs captain Mats Sundin broke his stick in frustration and accidentally tossed it into the crowd, serving his suspension in Ottawa. In that game, Alfredsson mocked Sundin by pretending to throw his own broken stick over the glass during a 7-1 Ottawa victory.
Tensions were high.
In the 2004 first round, Toronto led 3-2 as the series shifted to Ottawa. The Senators had a 0-3 record in elimination games against Toronto.
Game 6 went to overtime, then double overtime. Antoine Vermette of the Senators spun past Aki Berg, passed to Mike Fisher, who scored the double-overtime winner.
Ottawa won their first playoff elimination game against Toronto. Owner Eugene Melnyk reportedly declared, “We`re gonna kill `em.”
However, Toronto won Game 7 decisively, with Joe Nieuwendyk scoring two early goals in a 4-1 victory.
Now, that`s history. The Senators and Maple Leafs are set to clash again in the NHL playoffs. Let the Battle of Ontario commence.
