Feb 23, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) controls the puck in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Trash talking is a part of the game and even when you can’t hear exactly what players are saying to each other, you probably still have a good idea about what they are expressing. They aren’t asking how the family is or where their opponents are vacationing during the summer.

Even though we know it goes on, it’s still a little compelling when we actually hear the words out on the ice. Thanks to theScore for sharing this video from BroadStreetHockey of Zac Rinaldo chatting with Phil Kessel.

Rinaldo was mic’d up for the game last night and mentioned to Kessel “I’m going to catch you with your head down tonight and I’m going to take it off.” If only the Winter Classic wasn’t cancelled because then we would have been privy to a month’s worth of mic’d up players and inside access to what is actually being said on the ice. Thanks again NHL Lockout.

Rinaldo’s comments also reminded us that players still try to incorporate intimidation into their game, and in this case it may have worked. Kessel only had one goal and five shots on net while flying around the rink all night at top speed. Well done, Zac. Well done.