Kyle Clifford attacks Bokonji Imama during final handshake

Playoffs, no matter what the sport, are always emotional and intense.

Rivalries are at their fiercest.

In the American Hockey League, the Belleville Senators faced their rivals, the Toronto Marlies, and had the chance to eliminate them on Sunday night.

As fate would have it, the Toronto Maple Leafs had to go on vacation.

AHL overtime goal specialist Garrett Pilon eliminated the Marlies.

Following the Senators’ victory, the classic final handshake took place, but Toronto’s Kyle Clifford didn’t want to simply pass by and shake his opponents’ tongues.

When it came to shaking hands with fellow tough guy Bokonji Imama, Clifford tried to send a not-so-subtle message.

He went straight for Imama and a melee ensued:

Respect the handshake line.

Kyle Clifford went after Boko Imama in the handshake line for the Calder Cup playoffs.
pic.twitter.com/7v5EcKOcLu

– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 28, 2024

Clearly, it was a gesture of frustration after being eliminated, but it happens to all players. You can’t always win, and you have to control your emotions.

It could have been more disastrous than that. One of the players could easily have fallen and injured himself in that unnecessary melee.

Clifford has always been known as an extremely intense and physical player and he wants to win at all costs.

The man who has played over 750 NHL games also won a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.

He’s the kind of player you want to have in the playoffs for those times when tempers flare, but this gesture was downright unnecessary.

It made absolutely no difference to the outcome of the game, and his team is still eliminated.

He just looked crazy and didn’t help his cause to secure another contract, as he’ll be a free agent this summer.

Although he could still be useful in the AHL at 33, I’m not convinced that management wants a player who has trouble controlling his emotions and can get his team into trouble.

Do you think he’ll find a buyer this summer?

In gusto

– Filip Forsberg getting up once again for the Nashville Predators. Only 12 seconds were enough to score a goal in the third period.

Filip Forsberg got the @PredsNHL off to a quick start in the third period, scoring just 12 seconds into the frame to put Nashville up 3-1. #StanleyCup

Catch the rest of the game on @TBSNetwork, @SportsonMax, @Sportsnet and @TVASports. #NHLStats: https://t.co/NPWQLRy0ZO pic.twitter.com/P7M5Dl6hB3

– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 28, 2024

– And without the services of Kawhi Leonard.

George and Harden bring Clippers back to even series against Maverickshttps://t.co/7GQMvaVUU9

– RDS (@RDSca) April 28, 2024

– Congratulations to the Magog Cantonniers who are Telus Cup champions in the M18 AAA.

THE MAGOG CANTONNIERS ARE 2024 TELUS CUP CHAMPIONS @CantonniersAAA pic.twitter.com/EtbmN7Z1SJ

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 28, 2024

– Read more.

Chris Higgins was a youngster when he began his career in Montreal, and it was in Vancouver that he enjoyed his collective success. He shares his experiences and lessons learned along the way, and some of the values that make a good team.https://t.co/MsE4ZkA2qZ?

– Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) April 28, 2024

– Tempere’s Tappara have won their third consecutive title in the Finnish First Division (SM-Liiga).