This Battle of Ontario has a different vibe.

The Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators players reportedly have banded together in their desire to gain exemption from paying into the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan.

A report at qpbriefing.com indicated the NHL Players’ Association is seeking an exemption with the government.

When asked via e-mail on Tuesday night whether it was possible to speak to him regarding the exemption, Jeremy Forgie, a lawyer with Blake, Cassels & Graydon who represents the NHLPA, replied “No thanks.”

The NHL’s pension plan is not registered officially in Ontario as it does not meet Canadian tax law requirements. It does not fall in line with the ORPP’s model for exemption.

If the exemption request is not successful, the matching contributions from the Leafs and Senators and their respective teams would be small. The Leafs and Senators would have to make matching payroll contributions of 1.9% up to the first $90,000.

The Leafs and NHLPA could not be reached for comment.