Senators goaltender Ray Emery stopped more than pucks in practice today, getting into a brief scrap with tough guy Brian McGrattan.
The pair laughed it off afterwards, but were none too pleased with each other after they bumped during a skating drill. As they squared off and tossed fists at each other, teammates quickly jumped in and ended the brouhaha.
Both players dropped their gloves after an initial shove or two in the corner, then Emery ripped his mask off and the two set at it.
"I've got to keep him sharp. You never know when he's going to (fight) again," said McGrattan. "I think the guys kind of got a kick out of it."
Although incidents like this do occasionally occur in hockey practices, it's yet another unwanted headline for the Senators' embattled goaltender. He's endured off-season surgery, nagging injuries, incidents on local roadways and, last week, he slept in and was sent home from a team practice by coach John Paddock.
Emery did try to make amends later in the week by showing up early for a couple of practices and was in net for both of the Senators' weekend victories.
Interestingly, it's not the first incident between Emery and McGrattan. They also scrapped in a practice several years ago while they were with the Senators' AHL farm club in Binghamton.
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Senators/2008/01/07/4756765.html
