Sharks' Kane, Golden Knights' Reaves add more fuel to rivalry
Ryan Reaves and Evander Kane simply can't stop taking shots at each other.
The forwards have gone back and forth over the past several years, creating one of the best player rivalries in hockey. There have been numerous altercations on the ice between them, and Kane said he felt like he was fighting "The Muffin Man" after the two squared off during the playoffs last spring.
"It might be longer than nine years, we didn't like each other in junior," Reaves said of the rivalry's origin on Sportsnet's After Hours on Saturday. "It kind of started early in my career, him running around and then I challenge him and he always tells me he's gonna beat me up but would never fight me.
"It was just that constant him chirping, chirping, chirping, and never doing anything about it."
Kane responded to Reaves' comments on Twitter, saying the two never played against each other in the WHL.
Bud lol @reavo7five maybe one to many hits to the head? You never played a single game against me in @TheWHL believe me. Have to start calling you Mr. Rodgers for all this “make believe” you spit pic.twitter.com/MHfMcHx14p
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) November 3, 2019
Despite the hate between them, Reaves seems to be enjoying his battles with Kane.
"I love it. I like watching that stuff in other sports, there's not a lot of it in hockey," Reaves continued. "I love the hatred in sports, it makes it a little more interesting. I wish there was a little more in hockey."
Reaves and Kane will face off again on Nov. 21 when the San Jose Sharks visit the Vegas Golden Knights.