Early Fireworks in Ottawa…Spezza and Neil

Not surprisingly Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston was quick to downplay the physical skirmish that took place during Friday morning’s practice. Shockingly enough one combatant was star forward Jason Spezza who is known more for scoring points then using his fists. This former 2001 first round pick who has registered only one assist this season got into it with the Senators number one tough guy Chris Neil. Even though they were coming off a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders from the night before Clouston who is in his first full season was in the middle of conducting what was an intense practice when the fireworks began. During a drill Spezza who is on the bubble to make the February Canadian Olympic team received a hard slash to the back of his legs from Neil. When Spezza retaliated Neil quickly dropped his gloves before teammates came in to intervene. “I don’t know what happened,” Spezza said. “Sometimes teammates get into it, it’s no big deal. As soon as he dropped the gloves it was time to get out of there through.” Clouston wasn’t at alarmed by what this might mean in terms of building team unity for the long season. “That’s all right,” Clouston said about the dust up. “That’s just intensity… they’ll shake hands and make up.” Neil who is a seven- year veteran is no stranger to getting into dustups with teammates during practice. Over the years he has had confrontations with Magnus Arvedson and Martin Havlat. This Friday incident has to be alarming for Senators fans who are hoping that after missing the playoffs last season that their team can finally find that chemistry that will allow them to once more flourish. Rumors have been flying that ever since last year the Senators dressing room isn’t a happy place.