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Senators’ Ryan, Ceci already got in Boucher’s doghouse

Tampa Bay Lightning v Boston Bruins - Game Seven

BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Head coach Guy Boucher of the Tampa Bay Lightning speaks to the media after their 0 to 1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 27, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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Bobby Ryan and Cody Ceci were late to an Ottawa Senators team meeting, giving new head coach Guy Boucher a convenient opportunity to assert himself before the regular season.

Boucher did so on Saturday, sitting the two players during the first period of Saturday’s 3-2 overtime exhibition loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

It’s an event that was noted by media on hand, including TSN’s Brent Wallace.

“That’s our rules,” Boucher explained, according to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. (It doesn’t sound like they were late by much, either.)

One can imagine Boucher and his scar being quite the intimidating sight for late-arriving players such as Ryan and Ceci. What better time than the preseason to send messages, too? He gets to flex his managerial muscles without running the risk of meaningful on-ice consequences.

Boucher faces an interesting challenge - and opportunity - in trying to whip this group into shape.

While the roster is flawed, there’s interesting talent, and one could foresee a situation where the former Lightning coach would get more out of the very likes of Ryan and Ceci.

It’s dangerous to read too much into a situation like this, yet it’s still an interesting note. Especially if Boucher’s relationship sours with either player.
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In other news from that exhibition, Torrey Mitchell left the game with an upper-body injury.