Scarlett Ice

All I Want For Christmas...

2011-12-23T15:25:00.014-05:00

...is a playoff spot. Okay so maybe I'm better off asking for a pony, but please entertain me for a second if you will.

The Senators are currently sitting 7th (SEVENTH!) in the NHL. They aren't just in the playoffs, they've got a cushion! (please don't mention 35 GP, it's Christmas, just let me go with it)

At 17-14-4 the Senators are 3 games over .500 (I don't understand the math either) and have a favorable schedule on the horizon. With a game in Carolina tonight, then Montreal, Calgary and Buffalo all up after the Christmas break the Sens have a real chance to put themselves in a place no one thought they'd even be close to at the beginning fo the season.

On paper clearly this Senators team doesn't look like they should be a contender. They're somewhat laughable when you stack them up next to a roster like the Bruins, Rangers or Flyers but here's the thing: The east is bad. Perrenial playoff lock Washington appears lost this year. The Sabres are looking for their receipt for Ville Leino. The Tampa Bay Lightning are learning that maybe you can't replicate last seasons's success with a 40+ goalie.

Meanwhile the Senators just seem to have the ingredients right now they've always lacked. They are getting scoring up and down the lineup (11 players in double digit points, 4 in double digit goals), they have a capable puck moving defenseman (who is still making the sophmore mistakes, give it time) and they're winning games they should be but usually don't (taking advantage of a depleted Pens team 6-4 at home and winning a big game in OT against Southeast leaders Florida).

While it might be crazy to think this team which is largely unchanged from the one that started the season (and was anticipated to be only slightly better than Winnipeg) is able to make the playoffs, I'd argue it could very well be where we are headed if the Sens step on the gas coming off the yule season. Granted as I've said before, making the playoffs will more than likely end in being a minor speed bump for an elite east team, I see no reason not to be elated at the chance to watch hockey in spring. Sure the Senators don't have a very realistic chance at hoisting the cup in 2012, but what's wrong with getting the kids a little playoff experience sooner rather than later.

So, who else wants a pony for Christmas?

Playoffs!!!1!...?

2011-12-21T22:52:00.004-05:00

So I wake up today and the Sens and Leafs are tied for 8th in the standings. Can anyone help me out here? Are the Senators overachieiving or are the Toronto Maple Leafs failing miserably? (remember when they were first place in the league? Fun times!) For a team picked by most to be the cellar dwellers of the East this season (with the exception of the Winnipeg franchise formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers) I'm nothing short of surprised with what I've seen out of the Senators so far. While 8th place and a potential first round matchup where the Senators would look like a punching bag to whoever the top team is in the east isn't an enviable position, it should be considered a measure of success given the expectations for this team to start the year.

So of course now that the Senators are barely clinging to relevance in the playoff race a mere 2/5ths of the way into the season it's only logical they start making trades to further position themselves for a first round playoff curbstomping. Enter Kyle Turris.

The aquisition of Kyle Turris brings promise for both the present and future. There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding the potential of this kid despite the fact he's got a very short resume. I'm going to go on record and say I don't know what to expect out of KT, but I hope he can solidify himself in the top half of the lineup. Much like the Filatov experiment I don't see a large amount of downside to this trade. Yes, Rundblad was a big piece to give up (along with a 2nd round pick) but to get a player who's proven he belongs in the NHL (with the potential to excel in the future) you need to give up some assets. It's fairly low risk and potentially high reward. Rundblad was the 3rd best young defenceman in the Senators system and with Cowen and Karlsson looking to be the future on the blueline, his greatest value to the Sens might have been as a piece in this trade rather than as a second line D-man. Finding guys to round out your D beyond the top pairing isn't hard. You grooming your own top guys and use the trade market and free agency to fill the gaps.

Enjoy It While It Lasts

2011-10-05T18:58:00.006-04:00

I was thinking the Western Conference would be a nice place to play, what about you?

Another season of Senators hockey is upon us and if you're not excited to see this team return to the ice (only 4 years removed from a Stanley Cup final), well I don't know what to say. That's right, only 4 years ago the Senators were at the top of the Eastern Conference, finally breaking through to the Stanley Cup finals after years of being a top contender in the East. It was a long time coming and there was no reason to believe the on-ice success would end anytime soon. Fast forward 4 seasons: the defensive foundation Senators playoff teams were built on has crumbled, one of the most explosive, top scoring lines in the league is no more and the goaltending is... the same as always I suppose.

Now that I have you here waxing poetic about the halcion days and remembering the good times I'd like to hit you with a fact. The Ottawa Senators are a rebuilding team (if this is news to you, you should probably stop reading now) and would be best served by trading one of, if not both of, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. Yes, I just said that.

The Ottawa Senators are clearly in the midst of a rebuild. With a roster full of youth and relatively inexperienced NHL players there is no reason to think this is a Senators team management believes is a legitimate contender. (Note: "management" doesn't include owners who may or may not be dellusional) Every pundit I've read has the Senators at, or near the bottom of the league in their preseason prognostications. If I compare the top 3 players on teams in the East against the top 3 players on the Senators I'm not sure I'd come to a team they could match up against evenly before I reach the 14th team. Given the current state of the Senators I advocate to package up any and all tradable commodities which would bring a decent return in order to prepare for the future. A quick look at the current roster immediately reveals two players who fall into this category and they would surely provide the decent return I speak of.

Jason Spezza is the Ottawa Senators perpetual whipping boy when the going gets tough. Media and fans alike love a good scape goat in Bytown, and what better target than the under performing star center who doesn't play defence and is oft injured? I like Rocco as much as the next guy (I could watch the highlight of him deking Sheldon Souray out of his jock until the cows come home) but let's face it, number 19 is 28 years old and it isn't a stretch to say his best years of hockey might be in the rear view. It's been more than 3 seasons since Spezza had over 73 points and he's missed a minimum of 20 games in the last 2 seasons. His best 3 seasons as a Senator were the first 3 seasons post lockout and he's been on a steady decline ever since. It's time for all the people waiting for him to magically turn a corner (a la Steve Yzerman in Detroit) to wake up and relize that a 28 year old center with a history of back troubles might be on the back end of his career slope.

This isn't to say Spezza's a scrub and not a useful player in today's NHL. A proven playoff performer with 46 points in as many games, and a great play maker when he's feeding someone who can shoot the puck , Spezza would be in demand from teams looking to solidify themselves up the middle. The biggest downside of course is his albatross of a contract. Due 8 million for the next 2 seasons, then 5 and 4 respectively for two years, he's cost prohibitive. A rebuilding team like the Senators however (who shouldn't be looking at legitimate playoff contention for a few years) can afford to take back some shorter term, large contracts other teams might be looking to dump. It's a bitter pill to swallow watching a talented player like Spezza go, but how long can the Senators and their faithful continue to wait for the development of Jason Spezza when everyday might be one more removed from his best?

If you didn't like my idea of trading Giggles, you might want to sit down now or just start penning my death threat. Along with Spezza the other tradable asset the Senators have is Daniel Alfredsson.

You might have heard of a certain blue and whtie team just down the 401. At one point they had themselves a Swedish captain. He was, for a time, very unappreciated mostly during his first few years with this team. Constantly seen as not tough enough, or not a good enough leader. He was often cited as the reason for his team's constant struggles to reach hockey's promised land. Eventually that Swedish captain found his place in the fan's hearts and as the end of his career approached (and the team wasn't in playoff contention) the question started to pop up, should the team trade the captain who gave them so much, so that he can help them prepare for the future?

It may be sad and upsetting to some people, the idea of trading one of their favorite players, but it should be one that is at least entertained. What point is there in having Alfredsson go through the motions for the remaining 2 seasons on his contract if he is more valuable to the team in terms of a trade deadline bargaining chip which playoff bound teams always are willing to overpay for? Would it be nice to see Alfredsson finish out his career as the captain of the team he played his entire career for? Of course! Would it be nice to see him go to a contender for a chance to hoist the cup that will never come for him in Ottawa? Also a pleasant option! (Then of course he'll retire, return to Ottawa in a management capacity and then we can trot him, Birgitta and his brood out to centre ice before a game so we can have one tearful reunion and the Huge Euge can give him something framed)

I'm all for trips down memory lane and remembering the Senators teams of yester-decade, but I don't want to forgo the opportunity to create more memories and success sooner just so I can watch number 11 skate out there on an nightly basis and remind me how it "used to be". When the puck drops on this season and you have a chance to watch the magic Spezza and Alfie might create, enjoy it while it lasts because you never know how much longer you might have that chance.

New World Radio Order

2011-04-12T12:16:00.012-04:00

The radio apocalypse is coming... have you picked a side? With the debut of TSN radio this week the Toronto sports radio scene is about to get crowded. For some time now the two combatants, Rogers and Bell, have been massing their armies of on air personalities in anticipation of the upcoming war for the airwaves.

Much like the NHL, which is the bread and butter of sports talk radio north of the 49th; the Canadian sports talk radio scene has primarily remained an old boys network. Recycled hosts, re-tread coaches turned analyst (many who fail to excel in either venture) and veteran newspaper reporters turned radio personalities. Don't get me wrong, some of these people do a bang up job, but other times they just seem like more of the same. People competing for air time who think the louder their voice is, the more valuable their opinion becomes. (We call this the "Around The Horn" theory)

Since TSN announced their foray to the airwaves they've gone in the opposite direction of the Fan, acquiring young up and coming talent with a very small established national footprint. The first shot across the bow of Roger's media was plucking Mike Richards from The Fan 960 in Calgary. For TSN the thinking appears to be the easiest way to hurt your competition is to go after that which they covet most. It was no secret that Richards was targeted by The Fan 590 prior to their on air overhaul late in 2010 but the rumour mill suggested neither side was able to agree upon compensation. Cue TSN with deep pockets and a promise of creative control and Richards was on board.

It appears TSN's strategy to compete with the Fan isn't to do it on the same battlefield. Instead of getting established personalities TSN is going after a younger, more social media savvy roster that seems to be in touch with pop culture.

The afternoon drive slot is shaping up to be an interesting competition. In one corner you have the long established king of afternoon drive time, Bob McCown. Bob's been a staple on the Toronto radio scene for as long as I can remember (he started out as the Blue Jays game day announcer back in their inaugural season) and his no holds barred "my way or the highway", "put that in your pipe and smoke it" attitude has, for the most part, endeared him to the listenership. Bob has shown no willingness to pander to listeners or the local sports team and he calls it exactly as he sees it. (one advertising spot has even trumpeted this virtue of animosity inviting angry listeners to complain at a local sports venue except for the fact it ONLY holds 50,000 people).

With the recent shuffling of the deck at the Fan and presumably with supplementary guest talent being gobbled up by the competition they also decided to give Bob back a former co-host, Damien Cox. So now you have the guy content to continue playing the "get off my lawn" curmudgeon, happy to rest on his laurels of radio success and they've supplemented him with an old boy network, newspaper reporter who loosely uses social media (though he demonstrates a complete lack of understanding how engagement works) and frequently engages in the baiting of readership and will castigate anyone who dares fire a critical thought in his direction.

Meanwhile on the opposite end of the spectrum you have TSN who seem to be embracing the up and comer status and are reaching out to their young, social media savvy target audience. They've tabbed former Sportscentre reporter James Cybulski as the host of their afternoon drive show and paired him up with National Post columnist Bruce Arthur.

Full disclosure, I'm a Bruce Arthur fan boy. He was the first "celebrity" follower I had on twitter. The first person who I already knew existed before I saw him in my followers list. I think his willingness to engage with the reader/listener is what makes him popular and will continue to serve him well in his foray in to radio.

Cybulski has been a reporter with TSN covering such events such as the World Junior Hockey Championships where he's shown a penchant to endear himself to the younger generation. No surprise that he also has a presence on twitter. Bruce built himself a solid reputation with his writing at the Natty Po, frequent guest appearances as a panellist on McCown's own Primetime Sports and with his frequent musings on twitter. Both understands how the new media machine works and will most likely use it to their advantage. TSN understands the tools at their disposal to know what the audience is saying and feeling and they will tap into that, rather than ignore it. Unlike the Fan, and specifically McCown, a man who treats new technology (like wireless devices) as a fad and users of social media are viewed for the most part, as a punch line.

Twice before Bob has taken on competition for the afternoon drive time slot and succeeded. His success in the market might be the reason for his cavalier attitude when it comes to competition. First came The Team Network, with Toronto flagship 1050. Eventually they returned 1050 back to the oldies format and packed up The Team keeping the format in only a few localized markets outside the reach of GTA airwaves. Next up was "Mojo Radio, Talk radio for guys". Again the competition eventually gave in. This time rebranding to AM640, talk radio where the only real sports talk remaining is the Leafs lunch segment as well as Maple Leaf broadcasts. So far Bob's batting 1.000 but his attitude towards his listeners which might finally catch up with him in the new media landscape.

It's no secret in radio, TV or print, the most coveted demographic is male 20 to 30 something’s with high disposable income, and everyone wants their attention. What it appears that Bob, the FAN 590, and Rogers are missing is that this demographic is getting younger. Judging by his stable regular guests and contributors, Bob's core listener is starting to shift out of this age group. People in their 20's and now entering their 30's are more tech savvy. They've come of age in an era where they've always had access to the internet. They aren't buying newspapers and the names of the voices shouting at them on the radio are becoming less and less familiar each day. They're a group who understand they have many alternatives for sports opinion and if they don't like what they hear on the radio their short attention spans can be focused elsewhere with the endless selection provided to them by satellite radio, podcasts and blogs. The strategy of ignoring new media users on PTS could slowly start to backfire.

Without the threat of any real competition, the personalities at the FAN and most notably on PTS have treated airtime as a chance to play catch-up with their circle of sports industry friends. They make inside jokes, the occasional insightful comment and the rest of the time Bob drums up as much animosity as he can with the most contrarian point of view he can think of. (In his defence, Bob usually has a well formed argument) Basically it's the equivalent of being a drive-by asshole. The formula has proven so popular up until now; The FAN saw fit to hire another man in the same ilk as McCown when they brought on Andrew Krystal in the morning. It took less than 6 months for that experiment to fail miserably. Krystal relied on the same formula as Bob, be abrasive, dismissive and rile up the listenership, but he lacked two essential components which have made McCown successful. A solid reputation in the market, and having a defensive standpoint.

With a shuffle of the decks moving Sportsnet's Jim Lang and former AM640 personality Greg Brady (two of the better personnel additions Rogers and The Fan has made recently) we've seen what might be an admission by The Fan that the status quo might not get the job done anymore. They've seen fit to have Krystal back on the radio in the afternoon but he's been noticeably softer and less abrasive than when he started in the mornings.

The Toronto radio apocalypse is coming and it has been for some time. The Fan saw it coming when they shuffled the deck in late 2010 and moved PTS from four, to three, and just this week back to four. On one side you have a network happy to shuffle the deck chairs thinking it will save the ship. An organization which thinks it can reach out to the young demographic by continuing to put a microphone in front of decaying personalities like Don Cherry. On the other side you have a combatant who is fresh thinking that knows the audience isn't necessarily happy with more of the same. A station which will utilize its own stable established talent and complement them with the next generation. For what seems like a long time the Toronto Sports Radio landscape has been shaped by the hosts and not the listeners. Hopefully a new era of competition will serve to improve the product and both outlets can thrive while offering the listener a choice that has been absent for quite some time.

Revealed (!) : Ottawa Senators Top Secret Player Questionnaire

2011-02-16T17:01:00.011-05:00

In case you haven't noticed the Senators have been active leading up to the trade deadline.

Mike Fisher... gone.

Chris Kelly... gone.

Under the directive of the Euge, the Senators are finally ready for a rebuild. (and only 3 seasons late!) They're looking to deal anything and everything in an effort to stock the cupboards with picks and prospects.

As part of that process the Senators issued a questionnaire to their players in order to better asses their assets and accommodate outgoing players wishes where possible. We here at Scarlett Ice have obtained a copy of that questionnaire through our top secret sources deep within the Senators organization. (or stolen the idea for this from Down Goes Brown )

Question 1

Are you Swedish?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, you are now finished the questionnaire.

Question 2

Do you remember the 2007 Stanley Cup run?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, please start cleaning out your locker.

Question 3

Do you have a no trade clause or a partial no movement clause?

( ) yes ( ) no

If yes, will you waive it if asked to do so?

( ) yes ( ) yes

Question 4

In the event we are able to work out a trade do you have a preference of which NHL city you'd like to play in?

( ) yes ( ) no
If no, even Edmonton?

Question 5

Has your wife submitted to you a list of cities where she is willing to relocate?

( ) yes ( ) no

Question 6

Were you a first overall pick?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, when you go home tonight please tell Mrs. Phillips she should start packing and put the house on the market.

Question 7

Are you Russian?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, Почему вы думаете, мы платим вам все, что деньги?

Question 8

Did you get a paper cut at any point while taking this questionnaire and have to be placed on the injured reserve?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, don't worry Pascal, you have no trade value.

Question 9

In the event you're not moved prior to the deadline and your contract expires in the off season would you be open to returning to the team in a leadership role during a rebuild?

( ) yes ( ) no
If yes, you understand this time it's an actual rebuild and we aren't just changing goalies and coaches again right?

This Is Where I'm Coming From

2011-02-07T17:45:00.026-05:00

(warning: the opinion expressed in this post is that of the author (@DHSpeedwagon) and doesn't represent the thinking of Scarlett Ice as a whole. Please feel free to complain about it in the comments)

Late last week in the twitterverse Matt Carle of the Philadelpha Flyers (@mattcarle25) tweeted the following:

"Also, would like to donate some $$$ to a local charity, if I get 10k followers by the end of the reg. season, I'll donate $10k to C.H.O.P."

Now let me start off by saying, in no way do I think donating money to charity is a bad thing. Mr. Carle wants to do something good in his community, and he should be commended for it. I do however, take issue with the fact that Matt uses the guise of giving to charity as means to increase his followers. (I should point out Matt isn't the first player to do this and my opinion isn't focused on him but rather NHL players, and celebrities in general who use this kind of ploy. Matt's just the most recent example. I'm sure he means well, even if he is a Philadelphia Flyer.)

Now again, I'd like to repeat, giving money to charity isn't a bad thing.

According to NHL Numbers ( http://www.nhlnumbers.com/ ) Matt makes $3.5 million this season. That makes his donation approximately 0.29% of his salary. When I mockingly tweeted I would give that much of my salary to charity in exchange for 10,000 followers I was pretty much blasted for being a complainer who is against charity. (It was pointed out that if my donation is about $145 then I might as well just go follow Matt Carle. Silly me, I didn't realize all donations aren't created equally. Oh right, when I follow Matt it's not really my money. I get it now. FULFILLING!)

People love to lambaste me and anyone else who dares share an opinion about Matt and other players like him who've pulled this act before. "What's wrong with you?" "Stop complaining!" "He's trying to do a good thing!" I'm not questioning giving money to charity, I'm just questioning the method in which it's being done.

I use twitter as a tool for interaction. If you have something to say that is:

-entertaining

-funny

-RT'd in my feed

there is a good chance I will follow you. Similarly, I expect that's how I ended up in a lot of my followers feeds. They're most likely following me because of something I tweeted and they enjoy dialogue with me. I don't pander for followers. If people grow tired of what I have to say, or have no interest in me to begin with, they don't need to follow me and I'm not going to ask them to. Furthermore, I don't resort to self serving gimmicks (albeit good intentioned ones) in order to increase my follower count. I don't need to be bullied, guilted, or coerced into following someone and I don't plan on doing the same. I expect the content of my feed, and the feed of others to drive the counts.

What would be wrong with Matt Carle tweeting he donated $10,000 to charity and telling everyone about it after the fact? Why do I have to commit to listening to his rambling about Superbowl bets or what he's watching on television in order to feel better about myself and ensure he gives money to charity? If Matt doesn't get his 10,000 followers should I feel guilty about the sick kids who won't get their money because I didn't follow him? Why should the onus be put on me and others when Matt can easily just give the money? If Matt doesn't get 10,000 followers and donate to charity it isn't my fault for not following, it's his for coming up with the dumb idea in the first place.

One of the biggest rebuttals from people is "he'll probably give the money anyway". If that's the case then why the big charade? You're admitting that more than likely the whole thing is a rouse so that Matt can pad his follower count and you, him and the sick kids can all feel better. Obviously Matt isn't going to renege (I hope) if he doesn't get the 10,000 followers (unless he has really bad PR advisers) and he will more than likely donate the money to charity regardless.

It seems disingenuous to me to wrap up a gift to charity (which is good!) with a gimmick to increase your following. In the end I'd rather Matt makes his good gesture and tweets something that makes me want to follow him rather than pandering to the masses with a sense of guilt or obligation making them feel like they have to.

This Is Why You Suck: My Open Letter To Dany Heatley

2010-11-30T23:53:00.014-05:00

I still remember that Tuesday afternoon in late august when word broke late in the day the Ottawa Senators traded for you. I had just left my office and was going to Guelph for the evening and spent the entire ride listening to the trade being broken down on my radio. It was earlier that afternoon when Ottawa made news with the re-signing of "star player" Marian Hossa only to turn around and trade him to Atlanta in exchange for you.

That moment symbolized a turning point in Senators franchise history. It was the transition from an organization that slowly built through the draft and prospect development to one that was on the verge of something big. An organization that was no longer willing to wait. An organization, that for the first time in their history had a superstar player.

Remember, at the time of the trade Spezza was still an unproven asset coming out of the lockout, particularily after being returned to junior twice in his young career. Chara, beyond his size, was still a relative unknown on the blueline throughout much of the league and Alfredsson had yet to exceed 80 points in a single season.

You demonstrated on various occasions, prior to joinning the Sens, that you had the tools to be a superstar in the league. In your rookie campaign with the Thrashers you won the Calder trophy with 67 points and showed a nack for goal scoring, netting 26. You built on that with 89 pts (41 of those goals) in a 77 game sophmore season which also included a trip to the allstar game where you found the net 4 more times and managed to take MVP honours. Injuries derailed your third season, yet you still managed 25 points in 31 games, that isn't even mentioning the untold emotional damage you dealt with on top of the physical. On the international stage you had success for Canada netting 20 goals and 32 points in 34 games for Canada at World Championships from 2002 to 2005. When the Ottawa Senators made the trade for you they were aquiring a player with a pedigree, the likes of which they never had prevoiusly.

Once you arrived in Ottawa things were even better than imagined. Alongside Spezza and Alfrdesson almost immediately you became one of the most potent offensive lines in the NHL, and possibly in Senators history. All three of you went on to score better than a point a game for those first 3 seasons together. Not only did you live up to the billing but you transformed the team around you. The Senators went from a trap oriented, defence first team under Jacques Martin to a team that could not only play better than average defence but also stymie opponents on offence. Everything finally clicked for Senators and in only the second season after the trade Ottawa (perenial playoff busts up to that point) went to the Stanley Cup final. Sadly the story there didn't have the ending we would have hoped for but so much promise was built in those first 2 seasons, future success seemed as if it was just around the corner.

With you in the fold Ottawa finally had "their guy". For me, I was on your side from the start. I got a Heatley sweater, a Heatley Shirtsey, my internet moniker was even inspired by you. (as well as my partiality to power ballad bands from Champaign, Illinois and my affinity for pushing the boundries of good taste) You were the Senators player I always wanted . The undisputed star I could point to on my team and say "Him! That's the guy who gets it done! That's the guy who puts the points on the board. That's the guy you wish you had." I had never had that before and with you on the Senators I felt a sense of real NHL legitimacy surrounded my team, for the first time.

Prior to the beginning of that 3rd season (your last under contract) when you signed your 6 year extension, I thought that was it. That was the deal. That was 7 more quality years of following my team, of offensive displays, of Rocket Richard campaigns and Stanley Cup runs. Seven years where I wouldn't have to worry. You were commited to the Senators and I was commited to you. I poured my heart into my team and now Dany Heatley was standing up and declaring he wanted to be part of that team, long term.

All the promise built up in the Stanley Cup run looked like it was in paying off. Ottawa got off to a scorching start in the fall of 2007, but then things all came crashing down. After only 4 losses in the first 20 games the Sens fell apart in the remainder of the season. They fired John Paddock and limped into the playoffs, only to be swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2008 things went from bad to worse. Another fired coach, this time Craig Hartsburg who made it to the 48 game mark, was replaced with Cory Clouston. The final nail in the coffin was missing the playoffs, Ottawa's first time in 11 seasons when they wouldn't play beyond game number 82.

Finally when it looked like things had gotten as low as they could, the final blow was dealt. You demanded a trade. Citing a need for a fresh start and unhappiness with a reduced role, the man who just finished year 1 of a 6 year commitment decided he had enough? You enjoyed the highs but had no interest in experiencing any lows. Instead of giving a second chance to the team that gave you yours, your only interests were the interests of Dany Heatley. Your thoughts were of Stanley Cups with contenders and signing bonuses, not rebuilding the team you had just lead on the ice for 4 years. Instead of accepting the challenge of improving your game in Ottawa and helping the team regain the form they showed only 18 months prior in the Stanley Cup final, you represented the worst thing I can think of as a sports fan, a bandwagoner. Only interested in the good times and when they came to an all to sudden stop, instead of taking the hard road or accepting responsibility you, Dany Heatley, jumped ship.

This is why you suck, and this is why I'll be sitting in front of my television yelling obsenities and cursing your very existence on that ice while I hope the fans of Ottawa deliver a rain of boos I think you so truly deserve.

I Am Not Excited For Fantasy Hockey Season

2010-10-02T17:11:00.007-04:00

image taken from http://www.ryancatania.com/

***Co-Editors note: Apologies for the lack of maintenance over the summer, once again renewed promise for regular maintenance here now that the regular season is upon us. Look at the shiney new banner my blogger mommy has put up for us! GO SENS GO!

I come to you today with a confession. I, Dany Heatley Speedwagon am not excited for the upcoming fantasy hockey season. I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming NHL season , but fantasy hockey I could give much less than 2 shits about at this point. You might be asking yourself why. The simple answer is, for me, there is no upcoming fantasy hockey season.

That's right, I've decided to give it up. Or rather I'm taking a sabatical of unknown length. Maybe I'll come back next season, maybe I'll stay away forever but I've decided to just enjoy the NHL season in a way I haven't done since well before the pre-lockout days.

I first joined a fantasy hockey league back in 1998, my first year of University. It was done with a real live in person draft. Results were kept track using excel by my roomate and the standings and statistics were posted on our dorm room door updated every Sunday night. I still remember that draft. I remember I knew slightly less about hockey than I do today and I drafted Teppo Numminen with my first pick. I thought the foundation of a winning fantasy team would be built on a defence that can outscore any other. Surprise of surprises, I lost.

For the most part I was new to hockey and clearly that was evident with my draft choices. While I didn't win that first pool I planted the seeds of a long and not so glamourous fantasy GM career that would span over a decade and has continued uninterrupted (with the exception of the lockout) until today. In that time I've managed various other fantasy teams (surprisingly I've managed championship teams in both baseball and football yet continue to suck at hockey) but none of them stuck. The only constant in all these years is hockey.

Up until now it just seemed a no-brainer that the start of the NHL season brought the start of the fantasy hockey season. I find myself this year not as excited as in the past. Maybe it's part of a maturing process. Maybe it's becoming bored with maintenance pools that require constant attention and nurturing and become all too monotonous once that the big prize seems out of reach. Maybe it's longing to get rid of that constant almost addictive desire to always be checking boxscores and see how "my players" are faring on a particular night. This season I just want to enjoy hockey again rather than observe and analyze it.

Maybe it's sour grapes. Maybe I'm just tired of all the years of losing but I think I need to quit, for at least one season, cold turkey and just enjoy hockey for the game. A way that really I haven't enjoyed hockey ever. I would say I became a hockey fan in that first year of University. Saturday night's were all about pre-drinking, watching HNIC then hitting the bar in time to catch the 3rd period of the west coast game. I've never known being a hockey fan and not cheering for individual accomplishments by players on teams I really don't have much of an interest in at all. I look forward to what the NHL season will bring me and I wonder if fantasy hockey will draw me back in next year, or become a thing of my past.

They Are Who We Thought They Were!

2010-04-27T20:12:00.002-04:00

Our misery has ended. In what was pretty much expected by most people in the MSM and the interweb series of tubes, the Ottawa Senators bowed out in the first round of the playoffs to the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins. In the process of losing in 6 games, many of them being closer than one would have thought, the Sens proved to be pretty much the team most people thought they were. A team with inconsistent goaltending at best, a blue line that has been depleted over the years and is a shadow of its former self and patchwork group of forwards that lacks a legitimate goal scorer and has a captain who sadly is aging like a normal human.

While I think it would be a stretch to say this Ottawa team was manhandled by the Penguins it isn't unrealistic to think that was a possibility. Pittsburgh's best players were just that throughout the series and Ottawa's results were due in major part to huge contributions from 3rd and 4th line players like Ruutu, Neil and Kelly, some overtime heroics from Matt Carkner and the surprising emergence of the Great Dane, Peter Regin.

Should we be unhappy that the Ottawa Senators are dusing off their golf equipment today? If you take the solitary view from Saturday night that this is a team which blew a 3-0 lead at home in a must win game 6, well I'd say you should and probably would be pissed off. If you look at the grand scheme of things though, I don't think you can be unhappy with the results in terms of the season that was, and the expecations that were. If I was told in September after the entire Hewhoshallnotbenamed debacle happened that this team would finish 5th in the regular season then go on to take the defending champs to 6 games in the first round with both their high priced free agent aquisition and the big piece coming back from San Jose on the shelf I would have been shocked.

Stay tuned, I'll have my post season report card coming in the next few days. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs people. Oh, and for gods sake, WAKE THE FUCK UP WASHINGTON CAPITALS!

Congratulations! It's a Series!: Senators 5, Penguins 4

2010-04-14T21:42:00.005-04:00

^{(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)}

Guys? This wasn't supposed to happen.

I know the Penguins weren't exactly lighting it up going into the playoffs but let's be honest...neither were we. They're the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury. They were supposed to stomp all over us and I was emotionally prepared for it. Usually, when the playoffs roll around, I am a nervous wreck. I can't eat anything and I'm twitchy. But today, I was totally zen. I sat down and prepared myself for a decent effort but nothing spectacular. The fact that we even made the playoffs was enough for me to be happy. I wasn't about to get greedy.

But for some reason, the Senators weren't content with that. They showed up with some fight and it's not something I've seen from this team in awhile. I don't know how long it will last but I'll take it. We were getting goals from guys who don't usually score and Erik Karlsson was cool as a cucumber out there. Both goaltenders were a wreck tonight but it makes for a nice change when it's not just our team with poor netminding.

As happy as I am with this win, it wasn't the strongest outing from the team. Peter Regin's penchant for visiting the penalty box cannot continue and as much as I love that secondary scoring might not be the big issue I've been wringing my hands about all season, Jason Spezza has to remember how to play hockey (i.e. STOP PLAYING LIKE ARSE) and the big guns have to find the back of the net.

I'm excited now. I'm fired up and buzzing about my team and I haven't felt like that in awhile. Let's keep it up boys!

I just hope this is enough for me to get motivated/unlazy about posting again!

This is DHS' contribution to this post:

Death March Of The Penguins

2010-04-14T16:51:00.004-04:00

Yes, I've decided to get off of my lazy ass and make with the wordsmithing . I don't think it would be proper to usher in the return of playoff hockey to this Nation's capital without a few words from your humble scribe.

It's bad enough I didn't post to recognize the awesomeness that is Daniel Alfredsson. He continues his walking-on-water ways by punching the clock for his 1000th shift in the NHL all under the Ottawa Senators logo. What more can I say about our Swedish Captain? He's awesome, I think we are all on board with that assesment.

So, here we are. Fifth place in the Eastern conference, staring directly at the defending Stanley Cup Champions in the first round just hoping that somehow this team doesn't piss its pants. BRING IT!

I won't sit here and bore you with a line by line analysis or a comparison of the two teams in all facets of the game. There are many other fine places you can get that and besides, it would be a hell of a lot of work and well, that just isn't my style. Instead I've enlisted the help of a few of the OBC rabble and given them a quiz based on the upcoming playoff series.

Question the First

Do the Senators actually have any chance at advancing past the first round?

Meaghan - Of course! There's always a chance. Defending Stanley Cup Champs could equal "tired" or "cursed." You never know. Up and down. They were more UP than DOWN this year, and who's to say they can't be UP in the playoffs? Finally, the fact that they're even in the playoffs is a gigantic bonus. I had no expectations of success in September and I have none now.

Sherry (I really don't think a hyperlink is needed) - I know that any way I answer this will probably come back to haunt me. The truth is I didn't even think we were going to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season and the fact we finished in a respectable position is enough to make me hopeful. So, I won't be greedy. If we can manage to not get swept that'd be even better. That being said, the Pens have hardly been lighting it up since the Olympic break (we've been inconsistent too but frankly that's not a surprise) so I think if the team manages to be opportunistic we might manage to put up a fight.

Question 2

How will the absence of Kovalev affect the team? No, seriously, do you think it will affect them?

Free Willig - Kovalev's absence will have a profound effect on the team; it will make them more of a team. If I was Mike Fisher, I would have punched Kovalev in the face a long time ago.

S - Kova-what?

Question 3

Daniel Alfredsson is a golden god?

True ____
Truer ____
Not False ____ Please Explain ________

F - Not False - If Alfie was really a God, would he need to take off days of practice? Or, does he not need the practice because he's a God. But if he's a God, don't you think he would have won a Stanley Cup before now or REALLY hurt Darcy Tucker?

M - Truer

S - Truer

Question 4

What is the biggest difference between this 5th place Ottawa team we see today and the team we had on paper at the beginning of the year that didn't give us much more hope beyond "please for the love of god you have to be better than the Leafs"?

F - At the beginning of the season, we had no idea what Erik Karlsson or Matt Carkner would be this year or if we'd score enough goals. Of course, the one thing that is exactly the same is we still don't know if we have any goaltending.

M - I don't think there's a difference. I thought they were a total wildcard at the beginning of the season and hey, it turned out they were.

S - I'm going to go out on a limb here and say coaching. Clouston proved himself very capable at the end of last season but there was still question marks given his lack of experience. I think the team's definitely bought into his system and gelled better as a result. He appears to hold guys accountable and I think that's definitely worked for this group.

Question 5

When the first round is over, who will be the goalie in Ottawa's net when the final buzzer sounds? (Assume Brian Elliott is the goalie when the series starts. Bonus points will be awarded if you are able to reference Patrick Lalime.)

F - Patrick Laime

M - Probably Anton Volchenkov

S - Brodeur! No, I'm kidding. I think it'll be Elliott still.

Question 6

Who will/needs to step it up in order for the Senators to have any chance?

M - There are two possible interpretations for this question. If you mean, "Who needs to play his best to give the Sens a chance in this series?" then I'd say obviously Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, and Brian Elliott need to bring their "A" game. If you mean, "Who needs to improve his performance significantly over what he did during the regular season?" Then I'd say it wouldn't hurt if Mike Fisher had a hot streak right about now. A few goals from Milan Michalek would also not be a bad thing.

S - I'm willing to cut Jason Spezza some slack. Then again I feel like I'm ALWAYS cutting Spezza slack. He's one of the core guys on this team and he really needs to step it up now. Fisher too. I know he had a pretty hot season but he has an 'A' on his jersey now and that means he's more accountable now and needs to keep that gravy train going.

Question 7

Word association:

Eric Karlsson - Swedish (S)
Ryan Shannon - Cherubic (S)
Matt Cooke - Douche (M)
Sidney Crosby - Gold (M)

Question 8

If this Ottawa Senators team was a song, what song would they be?

F - "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" by Elton John

M - How about "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell:

I've looked at [the Sens] from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's [the Sens'] illusions I recall
I really don't know [the Sens] at all

Editors Note: I was going to award points for this entire thing but once Meaghan broke out the Joni Mitchell lyrics it was all over. I award her maximum points. Thank you everyone else for playing.

Bonus Question

Please put on your prognostication hats and tell me what the results of this first round is going to be.

F - Pittsburgh in 7

M - Pittsburgh in 7

S - *covers eyes and points* Pittsburgh in 6

BOOOO all of you there. It wasn't a bonus question. It was a trick question. The answer is Sens in 7.

So This Is What Blogging Looks Like... I Almost Forgot!

2010-02-08T17:30:00.007-05:00

I could sit here and spew to you any number of reasons for my lack of work around this place but none of them are very good. I'll just say this, since I've discovered twitter I've been noticably absent from this corner of the interweb series of tubes. Instant thoughts and reaction with people as well as numerous comedy pyramids are very distracting. That said I don't want to forget the blog from where I came.

A lot has happened since the last time I've put pen to paper here, so to speak. The Senators went on an 11 game winning streak that inevitably came to a crashing halt when they laid a playoff level heap of shit of a performance at the hands of none other than the hated Leafs. Those very same Leafs apparently in an effort to deny Peter Chiarelli a lottery draft pick have gone out and got themselves a goaltender, in the form of J.S. Giguire and another truculent defenceman, Dion Phaneuf. Those very same Bruins have decided if the Leafs aren't going to help them maybe they'll have to get a lottery pick all on their own and tailspinned themselves into a 10 game losing streak. While all this was happening of course the Senators have somehow, miraculously, pulled themselves to within 1 point of the division leading Buffalo Sabres who now have the suddenly human Ryan Miller starting in net. Add this all up and really I don't see how there is anyway I can deny you my creative genius any longer.

Now, let's talk about playoffs. When the season started I think you would be hard pressed to find many Senators fans willing to bet significant sums of money the Sens would find themselves playing beyond the second week of April. While making the playoffs was, at best, a possibility in October it would appear now it is almost a certainty. That said being a Senators fan too, of course I want more.

When it comes to playoffs I'm going to assume here there are 3 benchmarks to aim for.

1) playoffs - 8th spot

2) home ice advantage - 4th place

3) conference champs - 1st place

I think it's safe to say the first benchmark is acheived and the third is a pipe dream. Washington is a team possessed and a Juggernaut in 1st with an 18 point lead on 5th place Ottawa. It took 11 W's in a row to get the Sens where they are now. First is not happening. Not now. Not in April. The Senators appear to be firmly entrenched in the 5 spot. 8 points up on 6th place Montreal, 2 back of 4th place Pittsburgh and as I mentioned only 1 behind Buffalo. This is where things get interesting. While I mentioned that getting into the playoffs would have put most people over the moon in October part of me is starting to play the what-if game about the division lead. At the change of the calendar I was ready to concede the division to the Sabres. They had a double digit lead in wins and points in the Northeast and Ryan Miller was playing like a man possessed to win the Vezina and give the US a chance to compete for a medal in Vancouver. Now their is doubt in Sabres land. The window has been opened.

The east currently looks like such:

Capitals- 88
Devils - 74
Sabres - 71
Penguins - 72
Senators - 70
Canadiens - 62
Lightning - 61
Flyers - 59
Bruins - 59
Rangers - 59
Thrashers - 58
Panthers - 57

Leafs - Sorry Leafs no playoffs for you. But hey, enjoy that saturday victory.

I'm going to say if nothing changes in the top 5 as of today the Senators do not look like they would have any chance of beating the Penguins in a 7 game series. I'm convinced Pittsburgh is keeping plenty in reserve just waiting to turn it on in April. This team knows what it's like to lose. They know what it's like to win. They are merely waiting, going through the motions until the games really start to count. Must avoid playoff games in Pittsburgh. So even if the Sens are able to leapfrog the Pens the advance in the standings is moot. After all that's been said about the fans at SBP this season and the "dwindling" ticket sales numbers that have been bandied about, home ice advantage will be no advantage if it means an extra home game (if it even goes to seven) against the cup champs. This is where the dream to overtake Buffalo really becomes enticing. Sitting as a division leader in 3rd or even 2nd (longer shot I know) would go a long way to helping the Senators move beyond the first round. I think the Senators have a realistic chance of advancing against any of the teams that currently sit in 6th - 12th. While I think some teams (Philly) would be harder to play in the first round than others (Atlanta/Florida) all are much more favorable matchups than any of the teams currently sitting above the Senators in the East.

Perhaps I'm just selling crazy here. After all, I'm sure there is nothing wrong with a division powerhouse over relying on a goalie who is going to be worked like a dog over the next two weeks trying to help his country win a medal at the Olympics? What's the worst thing that could happen?

I'm Not Dead I Promise

2010-02-02T18:33:00.002-05:00

Although the recent lack of activity might make you believe otherwise. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's been about month since this place has seen any action and for that I sincerely apologize. A while back I made a renewed effort to get this place up and running again and as you can see--I am obviously not a woman of my word. Real life has gotten in the way too many times and for that I sincerely apologize.

However, there's nothing like a 9-game winning streak to get me out of my slumber! I wish I had something constructive to say about this but like our friend TUC...I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

If you look at the make-up of this team, we're not as bad as we are when we were bad (if that makes sense) but I don't think we're as good as we are playing now. Our secondary scoring is still an issue but at least having competent goaltending is a nice change. It's funny, the morning after our latest horrid losing streak I proposed we register the domain www.FireEliWilson.com on my Twitter and sure enough, that afternoon, Wilson was canned. I suppose I shouldn't make light of the power I hold.

In any case, the other reason why I haven't been posting is because there hasn't much to post about. This team isn't nearly as melodramatic as it has been in season's past and I suppose I should thank it for helping me keep most of my hair and not causing me to go into fits. This post really isn't of any substance except to reiterate that I'M NOT DEAD and neither is this blog. I suppose one day sooner or later I'm going to have to come to a decision on what to do with this place. But until then, I'm going to keep it around so our loyal readers (however many of you are left) can enjoy our greatest hits and perhaps give me some motivation to restore it to its former glory.

Thanks for sticking around.

Live Bloggy Goodenss: Sens @ Capitals

2010-01-07T17:08:00.002-05:00

That's right humble reader, it's time for ye olde blogger's faithful crutch, live bloggy goodness. The Senators roll into the other capital city tonight to take on the Washington Capitals and their newly minted Kapitan, Alex The Eight.

Game starts at 7pm EST on TSN, the fun should get underway here just before 7. (I'll probably still be eating at 6:45) Please join us won't you. You can expect the usual rabble to make an appearance. Yadda yadda. Punch and pie. As always, bring the funny. (Leaf jokes and knocks on Doug MacLean are always welcome)

CAPITAL LIVE BLOGGY GOODNESS! (I'm not yelling)

MERRY YOUR THING!

2009-12-24T21:25:00.002-05:00

It's been a bit of an up and down for us at Scarlett Ice. I've tried to renew my enthusiasm for posting with little success and can do nothing but lament my lack of contributions to the blog. I have good intentions, honest. Every time I tell myself I am going to start posting again, that little thing called life and work gets in the way.

Still, that doesn't mean I can't wish all of you a Happy Holidays and Merry-Whatever-it-is-you-celebrate. Here's to you and your loved ones!

Be safe, be Merry!

M E R R Y - C H R I S T M A S!!!

Late Night Live Bloggy Goodness

2009-12-02T22:11:00.002-05:00

It's Ottawa at Los Angeles. It's late at night. It's late night live bloggy goodness. Join us please, won't you, for all the hilarity. TSN is carrying the game Thursday at 10:30pm EST and the goodness gets underway 15 mintues before puck drop, as usual. Hopefully some people can brave the late hour and maybe let their friday work day suffer just a little for the sake of bringing the funny. I'm expecting some of the normal rabble to show up and maybe even a few new faces. Also could someone bring the punch and pie.

Late Night Live Bloggy Goodness

Live Tweeting

2009-11-26T19:33:00.001-05:00

I'm live tweeting the Blue Jackets, Senators tonight.

You may now continue reading the rest of the bloggy goodness (non-live version) below.

A "Devil" of a Time (insert polite laughter): Senators 1, Devils 3

2009-11-26T09:48:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)}
Yesterday I sat down and thought to myself “I have been a bad blog parent”. As much as I love DHS picking up the slack and contributing, suffice it to say this place has been collecting far too much dust for my liking. We worked really hard to make this place a safe haven for ~~depressed~~ Senators fans and we’ve been falling behind on the content.

So, with my new steely resolve, I sat down in my jersey to enjoy the Senators versus Devils tilt. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong game to get back into blogging because this game was an absolute snoozer. And really, I have nothing against the Devils. I’ve never believed that their games were as coma-inducing as people make it out to be because I’ve always been fond of Martin Brodeur and I always enjoy watching Zach Parise (we both drive the same type of car so I feel like we have a bit of a bond… except his is infinitely more expensive than mine).

Thus ends our 4-game winning streak and I’m not so sure this is a good start to what is going to be a long and tough road trip for the boys coming up soon. However, I suppose I should be optimistic because I never expected our boys to do this well in the first place. I feel like this bubble is going to burst soon so we might as well enjoy it. With the news that Pascal Leclaire is going to be out a month I was expecting Brian Elliott to get lit up but it seems like he was able to hold his own. I’ve always liked the kid and I hope he’ll be able to take this chance to shine.

There were a few things about this game that kept me awake. First of all Andrew Peters is a piece of *expletive expletive expletive*. That’s all. And it was nice to see Dean McAmmond again. Even if his brain is now mush, he was always one of my favourite character guys on the team and I’m glad he’s still playing. However, this game still made me wistful hearing his name.

Miscellaneous Random Observations
- The joke of “M. Brodeur vs. M. Brodeur” has been made already right? I’m really glad our M. Brodeur didn’t end up playing in this game because the pressure would have been enough to break him, I’m sure.
- Dean and Gord on the Team1200 broadcast were extra brutal with the puns and bad jokes tonight. Usually, I love them despite their blatant homerism but honestly. Maybe because this game was hideously boring but it was brutal.
- One good thing I learned from the broadcast…Matt Carkner wears very short gloves. Watch those wrists, MC Hammer!
- I don’t know how she did, but Sherry Ross became the first female broadcaster to call the play-by-play for a full NHL game. I’m still proud to share a name with her.

Happy Birthday!
Somehere in the shuffle of my neglect, this blog turned 3. I have to say that its 2nd year was definitely the “Terrible Twos” because in between me getting a new full-time job and other changes in my life, I sort of put this place on the back-burner. Which is awful, because I love this place and I know there are one or two (ok, one) of you out there that like it too and hate to see it in disarray. I know I’ve made public declarations that things are going to clean up around here before with not much follow-through but I do ask for patience from our loyal readers while we figure out what the future holds for our humble corner of the universe.

Still, I have a lot of people to thank for helping me make it to 3 years and I won’t go listing them all but mad props go to my fellow OBCers for the laughs, lively conversation and support. And of course my other hockey bloggers whom have been so inspiring. Here’s hoping we make it to our 4th with not as many bumps in the road!

He Ain't Pretty No More

2009-11-24T20:02:00.009-05:00

Yes it's true. The once pretty face of Pascal Leclaire you see above, is no more. The Senators netminder suffered an injury during last night's game against the Capitals. It would appear their may in fact be some kind of hex surronding the position of Ottawa Senators netminder as Leclaire wasn't actually participating in the game at the time the injury occurred. A clearing attempt by Jason Spezza deflected off of a Capital's player then rebounded off of the glass and into Leclaire's beautiful face. He is out for a month with a fractured cheek bone. Ouch. While you have had some untimely gaffe's in the net recently Pascal and showed a pechant for a weak goal here and there I do sincerely wish you a speedy recovery.

Now, I'm sure a lot of you may have noticed the distinct lack of care for this fine here corner on the interweb series of tubes. I wish I could just place all the blame for lack of upkeep at the feet of my co-blogger, but since I'm apparently getting a great deal of credit for the goings on around here lately, I guess it's only fair I shoulder some of the blame.

I must admit I've been pleasantly surprised by the Senators up to this point in the season. They are currently sitting 1st place in the Northeast division and are in the midst of a 4 game win streak having beaten Toronto, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and now Washington. It's been an entertaining ride in this season which is still only a quarter of the way through so it would be hard to blame any lack of motivation to post on the team. One reason for not being around so much might be that I think I've found a new love: Twitter.

Twitter is right up my alley. It suits my lazy writing style (seriousy you have no idea how long it takes me to formulate a real post here) in that I can post what is on my mind right away and with the 140 character restriction I find it makes me choose my words wisely and become a better writer. I don't have to agonize over a central idea for a whole post and I don't have to worry about finding the time to write a large chunk. Twitter is instant, it's easy, it's fast, it's timely and it's fun. (Especially to mock Leaf fans and/or Doug MacLean) That said any of you wonderful people out there who would like to follow me can do so here. I've just found Twitter to be a good suppliment when I can't post here. Also I didn't want to keep using live bloggy goodness as a crutch. I wouldn't want to wear the novelty thin because I do enjoy it so. Once in a while though I like to devote more of myself to watching the game as opposed to following the live bloggy conversation so I feel using Twitter I can post my thoughts as I please and not worry about moderating a conversation while I continue to enjoy the game. Don't worry, more goodness to come. If there are any requests for a specific game to bring the goodness, just let me know.

Now enough of the mushy stuff (aww, I miss you people and love you all so much), let's get on to a little rapid fire Senators stuff shall we.

Mike Fisher: Getting a lot of pub lately for his relationship with one Carrie Underwood. Oh, and also was named NHL Third Star for last week and has 10 goals and 21 points in 21 games this season.

Jason Spezza: Clearly is missing his go-to guy on the offence. 13 points in 19 games and only 1 goal to show for it. Getting a lot of flak in the MSM but every game I've seen he seems to be putting in a good effort and skating hard. He definetly was pressing hard for a goal last night and really seemed to come up snake bitten. It would seem he is more of a target in the national media while I've seen some local praise for a renewed effort towards his defensive side of the game. He's a -2, here is hoping he has a big game to satisfy the naysayers.

Milan Michalek: Continues to impress. 14 points in 21 games, 10 of those are goals. Seems to be willing to get his nose dirty. Slowed down a bit as of late.

Jonathan Cheechoo: According to TSN.ca he's played in all 21 games this season, has registered 2 goals and averages more than 12 minutes of ice time a night. I'll have to confirm this. Oh wait, and is -6. I think I know who they are talking about now.

Matt Carkner: Was fast becoming a favorite of mine until he died last week during the game against the Maple Leafs when he attempted to stop Colton Orr's fist with his face, repeatedly.

Alex Kovalev: Apparently he hasn't been in the lineup for the last 2 games so he could go back to Russia to attend to family matters. No noticable difference was observed.

Alex Picard: Continues his search for a round rink that has no corners.

Martin Gerber: Still waiting by his phone.

Mike Brodeur: About to learn how hard it will be to start a career in the NHL with the last name Brodeur.

Daniel Alfredsson: 23 points, 21 games. Walks on water. Sees you when you sleep. Same old same old.

AGAIN?

2009-11-19T19:33:00.002-05:00

I'm live tweeting the Penguins Senators tonight. This isn't the end of live bloggy goodness I just get to pay more attention to the game for a change than just keeping track of the conversation and the dick jokes.

A little interesting tidbit going into tonight's game. Ottawa's next 4 games are against the top 4 teams in the conference. If they wanted to legitimize themselves it might be a good time to string together some wins.

Live Bloggy Goodness... Sort Of

2009-11-17T20:02:00.002-05:00

I'm live tweeting the Battle of Ontario tonight. Yes, I'm to lazy to set up the chat window.

Live Bloggy Goodness: Ray Ray Edition

2009-11-11T23:41:00.002-05:00

That's right kids... the Ottawa Senators are going to the city of brotherly love to battle their former brother in arms. Ray Emery will be backstopping the Philadelphia Flyers when the Senators come to visit thursday night. I can't think of a better excuse for a live blog (except maybe I don't seem to post much else lately). So come one come all, bring the funny. All the usual OBC rabble will be there as well as a few assorted guests. Hope to see you there. Game time is 7pm, TSN, the goodness starts 15 minutes before puck drop as always.

Senators @ Flyers

Live Bloggy Goodness: Game 13

2009-11-05T17:25:00.002-05:00

Ottawa Senators take on the Tampa Bay Lightning it what appears to be a weekly occurence now. Puck drops at 7:30pm EST, TSN2. As usual the live blog fun will start 15 minutes before puck drop. Please join us won't you? Some of the regular OBC rabble will be making an appearance as well maybe some of those fine folks from the BoO and the always hilarious Stay Classy crew. Remember as always, bring the funny.

Punch and pie not included.

Lightning @ Senators Lucky Game 13

Game Night: Boston Bruins

2009-10-24T09:07:00.010-04:00

The "B" stands for Band-Aid

The Boston Bruins bring their travelling road show to the Bank tonight. They are coming in a banged up team and this might bode well for a Senators squad that for the past few seasons has struggled against the big bad Bruins. (1-5 against the Bruins last year)

Boston is 4-4-1 on the young season and trying to re-establish themselves as a premier team in the East while both Marc Savard and Milan Lucic are making extended visits to the IR. As fellow OBC blogger SLC intimated "if we could somehow arrange for Tim Thomas to be victimized in a tragic, if non-lethal, mishap involving a piano and a Puerto Rican hooker, we're golden folks." With it still being early in the season and the Senators struggling to establish themselves as a contender, I'll settle for any advantage they can get.

Thursday's game against Nashville looked from the score to at least be an entertaining affair. At most it was probably the robbery of a pity point. Ottawa was down 3-0 early so you could say I was more than surprised to see the team was able to tie the game at 5 with seconds left to force the overtime.

Things of note from the game include the fact that the offence continues to be balanced with 5 different players tallying to make the extra frame possible. While a come from behind win in OT would have been glorious it was not to be since M.C. Hammer decided he'd celebrate his new 2 year deal by taking a break in the box for interference in the OT. (seriously? An interference call in OT? Don Cherry is rolling in his grave!) Mistakes happen and I'm not about to burn Carkner at the stake for taking a questionably bad penalty in OT because he recently signed a new deal. His minus 4 in the game was also not a brightspot but I think we need a little persepctive here.

I've been as surpsied by Matt Carkner as most since his surprising start to the season but listen to me when I say, Matt Carkner is just a guy. I didn't really expect huge things from Carkner going into the pre-season. He's been a career AHLer and no matter how dellusional some might be after his 7 game performance he won't even qualify for the Calder since he's the ripe old age of 29. I'm not knocking the guy at all. He was a pleasant surprise in the preseason and earned himself a role on this team. He brings a bit of fire with him to the lineup that I enjoy seeing and someone like him probably plays with a little chip on his shoulder since it's taken him so long to make the show, but again... he's just a guy. He signed a 2 year deal for $1.4 million. That doesn't even come CLOSE to the league minimum. Yes it's a one way deal and yes I don't quite understand the urgency on the Bryan's part to sign him so early into the new season but to tell you the truth I'm not losing a lot of sleep over the personel decisions regarding one M.C. Hammer. He's just a guy. People are blowing the idea of this "local boy done good" way out of proportion on both sides of the fence and lets wake up here...(say it with me) he's, just, a, guy. If the contract turns out to be bad let's remember, a $1.4 million "gamble" really pales in comparison to something like, ohhhhh, I don't know, maybe paying a quality goalie a little less than $600,000 a year, over 4 years, to play for any team not named "Senators".

So here we are, 5-3 on the season going into game number 9 at home against a banged up Bruins team. The Sens are probably surprising more than a few people early. Leclaire is looking like we hoped he would, the offence is balanced like we thought it could, (but perhaps lacking a little potentcy where we expected it should), Cheechoo is playing with hands of wood and oh yes, Alex Picard still makes me stabby.

A picture is worth a thousand goals against

The Many Faces Of J Mart

2009-10-17T10:28:00.031-04:00

Now I'm sure many of you may have seen this somewhere before (and done a whole lot better), but I assure you, immitation is the sincerest form of flatery and originality is not my strong suit.

In honour of the Senators taking on the Habs tonight for the first time with J Mart behind the bench I present to you the many faces of J Mart.

For a guy with a reputation of showing very little emotion these pictures present a great deal of evidence to the contrary.

The "Rodney Dangerfield"

The "Your Attorney At Law"

The "So You See, I Had No Choice But To Cut Jason Spezza... Twice"

The "Pavarotti"

The "You Never Know What You'll Get From Google Images"

The "I'm Pretty Sure No One Can See Me Picking My Nose Here"

The "I Wonder What It Would Look Like If You Assembled A Team Comprised Entirely Of Midgets"

The "It's Going To Be A Pleasure Stealing Your Job"

The "Your Mind Powers Will Not Work On Me Boy"

The "I Haven't Looked It Up But I'm Pretty Sure You Can Win A Game With Just Defence"

The "Somebody Made A Stinky"

The "Mom! The Meatloaf! Fuck!"

4 Things About Last Night's Game

2009-10-16T07:20:00.003-04:00

What I like to call "the better half"... of the deal

1. That was the kind of game I've been waiting for. Everyone seemingly clicking together. Balanced scoring. Complete game (more or less).

2. All Hail Michalek. (Making the seperation anxiety that much easier)

3. Matt Carker desperately needs a nickname. (I vote M.C. Hammer... please Carkner don't hurt 'em)

4. As much as I like shorthanded goals I would't mind seeing a little more production on the PP. Of course it's hard to do that when you don't get many either. (I'm looking at you Zebras!)

Live Bloggy Goodness

2009-10-15T07:38:00.002-04:00

Lightning at Sens. Tonight. Fun starts at 7:15pm. Will be joined by Reasonable Doubt of Deadspin and Melt Your Face Off fame. Also some of the usual OBC and BoO rabble will be dropping by. Please bring the funny won't you.

Live Blog Game #6

SensTV: Favourite Toy Growing Up

2009-10-09T23:32:00.001-04:00

Nobody's allowed to say hockey stick! This video is also worth viewing just to hear Nick Foligno's explanation of his Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtle pizza truck.

Fisher Scores!

2009-10-09T10:47:00.003-04:00

Game winning goal in OT on Marty Biron (not pictured)

So the Sens are now 2-1. They appear to have a capable goalie (2.34GAA, .918SV%) for the first time since... ummm.... wow let's see... probably it was back... ummm... ya a while.

Is all well with the team? Let me put it this way. In the past three games...

-2-1 Record

-0 powerplay goals... by the team

-7 goals scored... TOTAL

-Kovalev, 0 pts, -3

-Jason Spezza, 1 pt, -3

-Cheechoo 1 pt, -3

-Milan Michalek, 0 pts, -3

These are numbers that are worrying me. While the play of some of the role players is promising especially the performance of Regin and Carkner so far one must take stock that if they are who we are going to count on to carry the load the rest of the way we are in a LOT of trouble.

So that is about it for this post. I'm just about to lick the stamp on it because it's clearly mailed in. Off to spend a weekend with the in-laws. Hopefully all will be well and cured by the game against Atlanta on Saturday. I'm intersted to see who will get the start in net. The suddenly hot Snoopy or will he get a break for Elliott to show what he's made of. Without any inside information and no access to the interwebs for the weekend I've benched Leclaire in my fantasy league just incase.

Ottawa Senators 2 - Truculento Maple Leafs 1

2009-10-06T21:42:00.010-04:00

Stalberg catches the A-train

Truculent, Pugnacious... Winless.

The Ottawa Senators fresh off a disappointing season opener against the Rangers rolled into the ACC tonight to take on the Brian Burke world beaters. Ottawa jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a fiesty (questionable?) goal by SheanDon and a penalty shot marker by The Captain. I especially liked the goaltending by "The Monster", demonstrating to everyone why last year he was the best goalie not in the NHL. The Leafs new wonderkind Viktor Stralberg learned you don't stand on the tracks when the A-Train is coming through. (rookies, they're so silly!) He left the game after attempting the in-human feat. Also of note, the look on Brian Burke's face in the press box when Alfie deked "The Monster" out of his jockstrap. It would have been the funniest thing I saw in the box tonight if it wasn't for Cliff Fletchers blazer which I'm pretty sure a chesterfield gave it's life for.

Best goalie not in the NHL last season, for a reason

Granted this Leafs team as mentioned is still winless, and it remains to be seen if they will even be a serious contender this year (except for PeeWee championships of course, according to Coach Ron Wilson) but I'll savor this victory in the BoO and take a W anyway they come. A win now is just as valuable as a win in January or a win in March. LeClaire made some decent saves when he had to and had just a wee bit of luck from the post (TWICE!) to preserve the win. Surprisingly the Leafs didn't resort to dropping the gloves and gooning it up to win the game. My understanding was that would have resulted in a Leaf win, no?

Spontaneous Battle of Ontario Live-Blog: Part the 1st

2009-10-06T19:08:00.034-04:00

I haven't blogged in awhile and I apologize. Work has been insanely busy for me but how could I not settle in for the first edition of the Battle of Ontario? I'm sitting here with my laptop, proudly wearing my Sens jersey. Let's get 'er done boys!

7:04 - That TSN opening montage took 4 minutes long. The cheesy voiceovers, the panoramic views of the Canadian landscape...but I'm more concerned about how long these players practiced their Blue Steel in front of the mirror.

7:10 - Dave Hodge has a new segment called "Hodge Mail". My co-worker pointed this out, why didn't they just call it "Hodge Podge"?

7:12 - Jack Layton's still going at it eh? Good for him...? We go back to a new view of the giant screen outside Gate 5 of the Air Canada Centre. It looks pretty darn awesome actually. Shot of Pascal Leclaire to open up. I will definitely be on a look-out for the Snoopy on his mask tonight.

7:14 - Here's an easy drinking game rule for you: any time "Monster" is mentioned tonight. With P-Mag between the benches tonight, I'd perhaps dilute your drink lest you want to pass out before the 1st period is over.

1st Period
19:35 - Kaberle comes close. Senators pinned in their zone. I'm not sure I'm liking how this game is going so far.

17:57 - Stempniak steps up. Seriously, I'm not really liking how easy it is for those Leafers to get into our zone. We finally get a shot which Gustavsson stops.

17:33 - Carkner shot that makes it through traffic, Gustavsson saves. So he's not just for pushing people around!

17:17 - Donovan gets checked by J. Mitchell but he stays on the puck. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I like the cut of his jib.

For somebody whose nickname is "Monster", I was really hoping his mask would be more interesting. And is it just me or is the crowd at the ACC even quieter than usual? Is it because it's a Tuesday?

16:33 - Good moves by Karlsson to get the puck and get it out of the zone. Fisher flattens Blake and I'm kind of gleeful about it.

15:21 - Spezza connects with Michalek nicely but Volchenkov, to quote Chris Cuthbert, "couldn't get good wood on it". Sometimes, hockey...you make it too easy.

13:20 - Liking the moves on Peter Regin and Erik Karlsson so far.

13:03 - It took 7 minutes, but I'm at my first "Shut Up, Pierre" of the night.

12:21 - Almost a minute gone in this penalty. Chris Kelly is in the box. Leafs haven't had a good scoring chance yet. At least our PK still looks competent.

11:26 - Kovalev with his first shot, a short-handed shot on goal. That's officially one more than he had in the Rangers game! See? Continuously improving that one.

10:25 - Guys, it's only John Mitchell. He shouldn't have been allowed to dance past ALL FOUR OF YOU.

9:?? - My time/score bar has gone missing. It's jarring.

8:10 - Ruutu with a shot, hits Donovan. Nice try though, boys.

6....?? - Spezza's pass goes off a skate and right onto the stick of Colton Orr. Okay, that wasn't technically his fault...was it? At least it didn't result in anything. Spezza makes it up to us by planting somebody into the boards in the corner.

4:?? - Ruutu with another shot. Does Ruutu officially have more SOGs than Kovalev? My goodness.

4:37 - Stalberg comes down the ice and falls. He just lost an edge but I'd like to think he got intimidated by Karlsson. Yeah...that's it.

2:45 - Scramble in front of Leclaire but the Sens clear! That was too nerve wracking.

Okay, I'm back to "Shut up, Pierre"

1:55 - Volchenkov just DESTROYS Stalberg. That makes me giddy. Regin goes in with some fancy, maybe too cute moves, looks like he might get the puck taken away but TOTALLY STAYS ON THE PUCK. He's NOT just a pretty face.

0:09 - Spezza flattened referee Wes McCauley. Nice effort! Do that to one of the ones in blue next time.

7:54 - Bob McKenzie just called this the "Polite Dispute of Ontario". He follows up that zinger with calling Stalberg "Michael Renberg". Oh, Bob. We were doing so well.

7:57 - I have to say, I really do enjoy that Midas "Canadian Police Chase" commercial with the two cars stuck in the snow. It's very witty and the marketing geek in me is pleased.

That's it for me tonight for the live-blog. As always, GO SENS GO!

I Love Legitimate Theatre

2009-10-04T22:49:00.007-04:00

Your tax dollars, hard at work!

Bob Probert as one half of a pairs figure skating duo. *cringe* I don't think it could get any more akward than that unless Tie Domi was actually his partner.

The CBC works so damn hard to continue perpetuating the typical Canadian stereotypes. Also, I think Kelly Hrudy needs to get laid.

Third Post Is A Charm

2009-10-01T20:29:00.003-04:00

2008-2009 Ottawa Senators, Let's Not Fuck This Season Up Shall We?

Alright you've all been so nice to hang with us through the first 2 parts of our season preview so let's jump right in and get this puppy finished.

Sherry: Staying with the Northeast, has Montreal completely lost its mind blowing their wad on all those free agents or should we actually be afraid of their fire power now?

Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have obviously heard the biggest criticism of the habs is that the team bus has been replaced with a clown car, but I'm left to wonder what fire power are you referring to? I dont see that top tier superstar in Montreal. That is what I thought was their problem forthe past couple of seasons. AK27was the go to player and he scares the crap out of me thinking we have to rely on him in only a secondary role. Again, similar tothe Bryan in a way, a lot of moves but probably not the right ones.

Q: Time to check up on everyone's favorite former Sens goalie and pugilist enthusiast... Ray Ray. Will he be the starter for philly this season and does he take them to the playoffs? (For the record I think the Flyers are a playoff team... I'm just asking is he going to be the guy in between the pipes when they get there) If he succeeds do you feel the Sens blew it?

Sherry: Considering Philly's back-up is Brian Boucher, who all told was not a complete disaster last year in San Jose when he, you know, actually got a chance to play, I do think Ray Ray will be the starter for Philly this season. For all of his drawbacks you can't argue against Emery's athleticism and potential. That being said, given the way things turned out in Ottawa I really don't think they blew it in letting him go because the situation had come to a point where they really had no choice. They blew it in how they dealt with the situation in not addressing it sooner but hindsight is 20/20 you know? I do wish him well and hope he makes the most of this chance.

Q: We all know you need a new man-crush. Any front runners for the title?

Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I think I'm harmed too much from the last crush to fall in lust oh so easily again. That said I've always been a Fisher fan but dagnabbit his inconsitency can drive you crazy.

Alright well it might be time to wrap this little exercise in blogging up but I think I'll finish with just a little prognostication and a very simple yes/no question.

Q. Do the Sens make the playoffs this year?

Sherry: As much as it pains me to say it...no. That way we'll be pleasantly surprised when and if they do!

Q: Same question to you and I guess we can wrap it up there.

Dany Heatley Speedwagon: I have read all the previews and I have seen all there is to see when it comes to this Sens team and for all the question marks, all the what-ifs, all the change and all the promise I do think the Sens CAN make the playoffs this year. Obviously I'm chickening out a little bit on this question because I'll say that I can't tell the future and I can only HOPE they make the playoffs but I honestly do think on paper the pieces are there and the fan in me is going to be really optimistc (foolish?) and say that they will at least get enough of the breaks they need in order to begin the healing and make us all forget the playoffless season that was in 2008-2009.

I'll leave you all with a little anecdote. Basketball has the tip-off and football has the kick-off, hockey is coming and I'm ready for the puck-off!

Drop the puck... game on!

This Is The Post That Never Ends

2009-09-30T18:43:00.007-04:00

Picture size reduced for your eye protection

Moving right along with where we started yesterday we continue the season preview conversation between yours truly and our wonderful blog creator, Sherry.

Dany Heatley Speedwagon: Finish this sentence: Pascal Leclaire...

Sherry: ... sure is skinny.

Q: Aside from EVERYBODY, who is expected to step up their game this year?

DHS: Tough question for a team full of underachievers a year ago but I'm going to go with Jason Spezza. Last 4 seasons, 68 GP 90 Pts (1.32 per), 67 GP 87 Pts (1.30 per) , 76 GP 92 Pts (1.21 per), 82 GP 73 Pts (0.89 per). Anyone noticing a disturbing trend here? I think Spezza needs to have a powerful season and silence his critics (about as likely as his defensive game improving) once and for all. His first full season in 4 years was also his lowest in terms of point production, which doesn't bode well for the nonstop trade rumours that always seem to follow our boy giggles. As much as hewhoshallnotbenamed ruined my summer his movement is a blessing in that it was one of, one too many, big contracts the Senators needed to shed. The team has committed to the Spez dispenser and I think he needs to prove that the team was right to sign him to a big dollar deal and show that he can be a top line player in this league. Parting ways with Spezza now would pretty much obliterate any chance the team has of convincing itself and its fans that they are a legitimate contender. With numero uno cinqo gone, trading Spezza isn't as attractive as it once was.

Q. What do you think the Senators are missing going into this season?

Sherry: I think the Senators are missing what I thought they've been missing since Chara left: adequate D. Don't get me wrong, I like what Chris Phililps and Anton Volchenkov bring to the team, but there just hasn't been that skill and talent on the blueline since Chara left.

Q: Which one of the young guys do you think has the most potential (currently on the team, not a prospect)?

DHS: I'd say Ryan Shannon, hands down. His size could be a problem but some of the speed he showed last year definetly got me excited in the pants. Shannon and Fisher seemed to have a chemistry when they played together. I can see him being the player I wanted Mike Comrie to be. I've also liked some of the fire and excitement I've seen from Pinchy Winchy but I think Shannon has showed some of the best skill and promise. It concerns me this is already his third team is it but I think The Bryan went out and got him for a reason.

Q: It seems we've covered all the traditional issues that season previews cover, worsening D, questionable goaltending, secondary scoring so lets delve a little more into the Northeast division and of course our favorite team to hate... the Leafs. With the truculance infusion and both teams seemingly attempting to return themselves to playoff contention and quite possibly fighting for the same playoff spot will we see a return of form in the Battle of Ontario? It has seemed the last few years the focus has shifted to an equal degree of ire spread out evenly amongst the Northeast Division. (boy, that was a long question)

Sherry: We might see a return to the Battle of Ontario as I feel like the teams are both sort of evenly keeled now in terms of talent (or lack thereof). Both teams have major question marks still and I don't think either one will be Northeastern Champs but it would definitely be interesting to see some of the competitiveness and...spiciness back into this rivalry. The BoO was built on the playoffs and since that hasn't exactly happened recently, it'd definitely make it a lot more interesting to see some edge back into the regular season match-ups, especially if we're going to be seeing the Leafers so many times.

Come on back tommorow for the trifecta finale of the awesomeness that is our blogger questionaire. We'll talk about former Senators, my namesake and we'll get to exactly how both of us feel about the teams chances at the post season.

Time To Get Along

2009-09-29T22:11:00.004-04:00

Well it's been just over a year since Sherry made the mistake of getting herself a co-blogger. In that time Sherry and myself have done a pretty good job of keeping out of each other's way with the exception of the occaional live blog.

With a new season comes new fun so we've decided to team up for a psuedo, sort of, full-assed season preview type thingy post. I assure you it will be as awesome as it sounds. Also, we can both take credit for finally posting something! I figure it's better to do this than rehash my anger at the whole situation and resulting trade windfall from the departure of Hewhoshallnotbenamed. (What is more useless now, my moniker or my number 15 jersey?) So here is how it's going to work...

About a week ago I emailed Sherry and asked if she was on board with this and she was. So we started bouncing emails back and forth off each other with an assortment of questions revolving around our favorite team and the upcoming season. It's pretty long so I figure best to break it down into a few parts and spew it out at you over the next couple days leading up to the season opener saturday. Strap yourselves in and here we go... question the first:

Dany Heatley Speedwagon: On a scale of 1 to 10, on this the 23rd day of september where would you rank your excitement for the upcoming season?

Sherry: I'd have to say around a 7 but most of it is for the hockey season finally starting. Usually I'm cautiously optimistic about how the team will perform, this year...not so much. I think the whole entire Hewhoshallnotbenamed drama has just taken a bit of a toll on all of us. I want the team to go out there and give it their all but realistically looking at this team, I think we all should learn not to set the bar too high. I believe Clouston will be good for the team and he'll get through to them, but assessing the talent and skill level of this group, I'll count making the playoffs as a victory.

Q: How do you think Bryan Murray did this off-season?

DHS: I would have to say public perception is probably that The Bryan did the best he could with what he had to work with, given the situation and yadda yadda. My own perception is that while he probably won't lose his job and that the trade for hewhowillnotbenamed actually worked out pretty well, things could be better still. CheeChooChrain ain't what he used to be but M&M is the centre piece of the deal plus they also got a decent pick. I'm more concerned with the fact Chris Neil is back for the same amount of time as Colton Orr at double the price, and the defence wasn't really addressed, oh yes and Alex Kovalev was hired and it's not to pilot the charter. Visably it looks like The Bryan made a lot of moves but I'm skeptical they were the right ones. I think the biggest change for this team will depend just as much on players rebounding from awful performances last year as it will on any moves that were made by Herr Bryan.

To be continued tommorow, where we will talk about the goaltending, the division and of course how we actually feel about this team's chances at making the playoffs. (Because everyone still has a chance... right?)

Male, Female, Striped, Polka-Dotted Hockey Fans

2009-08-28T21:07:00.010-04:00

I'm going to preface this entry by saying that the fact that the whole entire exchange occurred over Twitter makes it all the more hilarious and was even enough for me to not make me want to comment on it. But hey, I am a modern woman and these are clearly the sign of the times. To be honest, something as silly and petty as this probably shouldn't be enough to make me finally break my blog-silence but happily enough, this coincided with my week off work.

In a nutshell, Puck Daddy got some flack from my fellow female hockey blogging brethren (sisthren?) about Carrie Millbank being one of the female hockey fans featured on their "5 Reasons I Love Hockey" series. For those who don't know Millbank is the host of NHL.com's The Hockey Show, which I confess to having never seen so I wouldn't be able to comment on its quality.

I'm not really taking a side on the issue. When I saw it I kind of just rolled my eyes and said "Boys drooling over girl with cleavage. Next." I get what the point of Millbank is and maybe I'm just too jaded and cynical to get all that worked up about it. I'm no fan of Millbank because there are a ton more females who are more qualified for her job than she is and the truth is she probably only got it because she has a great rack and looks great in booty shorts and that, to put it as eloquently as I can, really really sucks. It perpetuates an image of what a female's role within the sporting world is and it doesn't do us any credit.

That being said, I have no reason to doubt that she genuinely loves hockey (even if I do disagree with her on some points) and isn't that what it's all about in the end? Having a genuine passion for the game? If you happen to like wearing booty shorts as well that's your prerogative.

But ladies, let's not take it out on poor Puck Daddy shall we? True, there were a ton of other female fans that could have been featured (I won't take offense that I wasn't even asked, Greg because uh...this place has hardly been a hot bed of activity recently) but I'm sure that was the case for male bloggers as well. Carrie Millbank is popular. People know who she is and I'm sure they're curious about why she does what she does and why she would even bother devoting her time to a hockey web show when I'm sure she would make more money posing for Victoria Secret or something.

The plight of the female fan and female blogger to be taken seriously is well known and has been talked about at great lengths already. I suppose there are still ways to go, but I dare say that the landscape has changed since I first started blogging nearly three (!) years ago. We're not such a novelty anymore and I think we've proven that we can do it just as well as the boys but we shouldn't need their acknowledgment to feel like we've accomplished something.

Or maybe there's just something I'm not getting about all of this. Just my $0.02.

(We know return you to your regular scheduled programming of absolute silence for another month).

Temporary Hiatus

2009-08-04T06:50:00.001-04:00

Hello all, as you can tell this place has taken a somewhat involuntary temporary hiatus. We just ask for your patience as we sort everything out here at this place. We thank you for your patience and hopefully we'll get this place up and running before Dany Heatley gets traded.

Gird Your Loins, Ottawa

2009-07-11T11:22:00.003-04:00

It has been confirmed that yours truly will be making a visit to the nation's capital next weekend to yell at the team...but mostly to get drunk. I know, it's the most exciting thing to happen to the city since we signed Geoff Kinrade the other day.

As always, your suggestions on the best places to get silly are welcome.

Yes, I'm Still Alive

2009-07-10T12:05:00.003-04:00

Just incredibly lazy as you might guess. Thanks to my lovely co-blogger DHS for picking up the slack a bit. That's what I have a co-blogger for! In any case, my lack of posting has been a combination of laziness, business with work and business with an actual social life. Amazing I know. There's also been a lack of content for me to post since there is only so many ways I can say "Heatley is still inexplicably a Senator".

So, as a bit of a summer diversion, watch as Alex Kovalev attempts to convince you signing him for $5 million a year is not a mistake. I think it's a sure sign of my cynicism that as I'm watching this all I'm thinking about is how each one of these ends up in our net:

Dany Heatley Is Not A Dallas Star...

2009-07-08T20:27:00.005-04:00

... but Alex Auld is. The Senators apparently didn't see a need this season for a quality backup making only $1 million who posted a 2.47 GAA with .911SV% and 16 wins last season. Granted it was in 43 games but it was for the bag of suck that was your 2008-2009 Ottawa Senators.

While I'm not entirely surpised by this move I thought perhaps if/when this move was made it might garner a bit more in return than a sixth round pick.

Definetly a risky move on the Sens part in my humble opinion. Clearly the Sens moved Vermette near the deadline in order to acquire goaltender of the future, Pascal LeClaire. However with the injury questions surrounding LeClaire as well as the fact that he will be performing with a non-Hitchcockian system in front of him it's a big gamble if LeClaire stumbles leaving Brian Elliott as the backup. While I think this move was made more than anything to get a bit of cap relief (although Elliott is an RFA still to be signed so the savings might be moot) Auld may have been a decent insurance policy in the event LeClaire needed more time and it would also enable Elliott to continue his development in Bingo. Not to mention wouldn't Auld be worth keeping around until the deadline when perhaps a contender is desperate for a backup insurance policy?

In any event the 2009 offseason roller coaster continues. Good luck to Auld with his new job in Big D. I for one want to thank him for his brief time in a Senators uniform and he definetly performed admirably last season especially considering the circumstances. (Circumstances being the Sens were AWFUL)

Alex Kovalev Signed By Sens... To Play Hockey

2009-07-06T18:48:00.003-04:00

Glorious news today in Senators land, the Senators have signed Alex Kovalev to a 2 year deal to the tune of $5 million per season. According to reports he will be playing on the right wing and not flying the charter jet. Hopefully he'll only be paid for the games in which he shows up. HEYO!

Also Dany Heatley continues to remain the motivating factor for many a drinking problem among Sens Nation faithful.

The fun offseason continues!

The Heat Is... Gone? UPDATED

2009-06-30T20:35:00.004-04:00

***UPDATE***
The Senators apparently have a deal in place with the Oilers that involves Dustin Penner, Ladislav Smid and Andrew Cogliano. Heatley however has exercised his non-trade clause in order that he be allowed to "sleep on it". No idea what that bullshit means but if this deal goes through at least the Sens aren't getting back 3 complete shit baggers like the Bruins did when they sent Thornton to the Sharks. Clearly Cogliano is the centre piece of the deal with Penner a throw in contract that the Ducks didn't even want to begin with and now the Oilers are regretting. Smid, well I recognize the name but honestly can't say I know a whole lot about him. Well I'm off to work to celebrate Canada day by boosting the economy. Maybe Sherry will keep you updated, if not I'm sure there is no lack of places out there for info.
end ***UPDATE***

Rumour going around that Heatley will be dealt to the Rangers tonight. Was Gomez the piece of the puzzle the Rangers needed to move to get Heater into their cap picture? Who will the Rangers send back in return? Will I get rid of this damn cold that has been nagging me for a week? So many questions.

Taking a quick glance at their roster I see exactly... zero players I'd be happy having come back the other way. Okay, with maybe the exception of Lundqvist I see no players I'd be happy having come to the Senators. Maybe if it comes to fruition it will be a multi-team deal, but I'm not holding my breath.

Stay tuned.

Draft Schmaft

2009-06-29T20:35:00.003-04:00

While we wanted to say something intelligent about the draft, unfortunately DHS and I both ended up missing it due to this thing called a "social life". I know, I'm just as shocked as you that we actually have one. However, once I have the time to compile some information on Jared Cowen, or whenever Dany Heatley FINALLY gets traded, whichever comes first, we'll have something intelligent to say.

In the meantime, enjoy another Haiku:

Did you sneak in a
can of beer or are you just
happy to see me?
- Pg. 74

From ""Hockey Haiku: The Essential Colection" by John Poch and Chad Davidson.

In Lieu of the Pending LCBO Strike...

2009-06-23T21:05:00.001-04:00

The LCBO (basically the place that sells alcohol in Ontario) might be going on strike. I think I might have to be putting some friends on suicide watch...and appealing to my non-Ontario friends to send liquor.

Eddie Belfour Drinks.
Eddie Belfour Drinks too much.
Eddie Belfour Drinks.
-Pg. 47

From ""Hockey Haiku: The Essential Colection" by John Poch and Chad Davidson.

Hockey Haiku: Your Off-season Distraction

2009-06-22T20:41:00.002-04:00

Starving for hockey news during the hockey off-season? Well, this certainly isn't the place to find it but I do have a plan of how to make the time go by faster: ""Hockey Haiku: The Essential Colection" by John Poch and Chad Davidson. My friend Laine was so kind to buy it for me knowing how much I would love the sheer ridiculousness of it and I thought it would be my duty to share some of them with you. When I run out of Haikus from the book, I suppose we'll just have to make our own.

We didn't make the
play-offs. Indeed, April is
the cruelest month.
- Pg. 36

Pittsburgh Penguins: Your 2009 Stanley Cup Champions

2009-06-12T23:40:00.002-04:00

Somehow I managed to type that without vomiting.

BUT! I am going to be gracious and say CONGRATS to the Pittsburgh Penguins on defeating the Detroit Red Wings. As much as I'd like to say that the WRONG TEAM won, having witnessed how the Penguins never got down and out and managed to pull it out after a piss poor effort in game 5, I must hand it to them; they took it to the Red Wings and they rightly deserved the win so good on them.

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to somehow burn that image out of my brain. Congrats, Penguins.

Where Your Blogger Tries to Cheer You Up

2009-06-12T09:49:00.002-04:00

With all the doom and gloom revolving around Dany Heatley wanting to break up with us, I thought I'd try to cheer you guys up. This may actually end up back-firing but this was my favourite Senators moment in recent history. Game 5 versus Buffalo Sabres. Daniel Alfredsson scores the game winning goal to send them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.

I remember where I was during that moment. I was at home, watching the game and texting HG throughout. When it hit OT I debated going out for a walk just so I wouldn't die from nerves. When Alfie scored the OT goal, HG called me and I was so incoherent she had no idea what I was saying.

I'm not the type to live in the past. I'm ready to see Heatley wanting to move on as the same for the Senators; think of this as an opportunity to shake things up and get something really good in return. Maybe it won't pay off, maybe we'll never get equal value for Heatley but maybe this is exactly what the franchise needs. It's been stuck in a rut for the last 3 years and it finally caught up with the team. And if we've learned anything from all of this is that a team shouldn't keep somebody who doesn't want to be here.

So goodbye, Heater. Thanks for the memories and I wish you well wherever you end up.

End Times?

2009-06-09T17:05:00.004-04:00

But I ask you, what is a contract? Webster's defines it as "an agreement under the law which is unbreakable." Which is unbreakable!

- Lionel Hutz

Well this just hit me like a tonne of bricks. Unfortunately I'm smack dab in the middle of a cram session for an exam on thursday, so I don't have a lot of time to devote to a full rundown of how I'm feeling. Needless to say "stabby" would probably be one of the better descriptions.

As is the case in professional sports today contracts are pretty worthless and what a high paid "star" athlete wants... well he usually gets. So, if it's true that #15 has infact requested another "change of scenery", I'm more than likely convinced it will come to fruition and in that case hopefully sooner rather than later. The longer a drama like this drags out the worse it will look for all involved.

In the end when all is said and done I'm pretty sure I'm going to be less happy about what comes back in any potential trade compared to what is given away unless the name Luongo or Iginla are involved. While the talent is undeniable (it is, isn't it?) the heart definetly is dead to me now. Let the trade rumours commence!

Worst of all, what the hell am I going to call myself now? As Puck Daddy suggested earlier today...

Dany Heatley Shoulda Been You, Jason Spezza

SCF '09 Game 3: Because 4 is Better Than One

2009-06-01T18:35:00.002-04:00

The Ottawa Blogosphere has been relatively quiet lately. There aren't even any salacious news about a certain goaltender getting into trouble to both simultaneously amuse us and make us cry anymore. So, I thought instead of me typing away at these live-blogs, why not have the other members of the OBC join in on the uh..."fun". We can make fun of the lame HNiC skits together (I'm still waiting on my choreographed dance number, by the way).

So, in the fine tradition of SI Live-Blogs, bring your comments, snark and pithy observations. The action begins at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday evening!

Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Live-Blog

SCF Game 2: Wherein Your Blogger Attempts to Stay Awake

2009-05-31T20:30:00.019-04:00

8 p.m. game time on a work night? You're killing me, league. In any case, tune into this space at 7:45 pm EDT for the annual SI Stanley Cup Finals Live-Blog. Or at least the first period or so because I'm a dork and have to be in bed by 10 p.m. in order to get up in the morning for work. Stay tuned!

8:00 pm - Our opening CBC montage is by CCR. I may be showing my age but I had no idea who it was until Ron McLean told me. I'm getting schooled on music by Ron McLean! Ron also promises us a special opening by Don Cherry. I'm holding onto the hope that it involves the cast of HNiC singing the theme to "Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat".

8:04 pm - Babcock says Crosby was "head-hunting" and Crosby got all uppity about it and Babcock back-tracked and clarified. Man, lighten up Sid.

8:08 pm - Ron gives us a teaser of the special opening. It involves the U.S. Coast Guards bringing Don in on boat.

8:11 pm - The Cup Raise commercial is one of the few that the League has done that they got right. It's pretty fantastic.

8:12 pm - Special intro time! Don being taken in on the boat to Joe Louis arena flanked by two ladies. Don's wearing a fetching flamingo pink number. Where's the singing and the choreographed numbers and the jazz hands?! Oh, I see. They're doing a rip off of the Dos Sequis commercials.

8:14 pm - INFLATABLE OCTOPUS!

8:15 pm - Don picks Detroit. Let the flaming begin.

8:17 pm - CBC feed goes to commercial so I switch for a quick sec to the NBC feed. Pierre is talking so close to Zetterberg that it makes me comfortable. I promptly switch back.

Period 1

20:00 - Penguins back to 12 forwards and 6 d-men.

19:19 - Osgood handles the puck and Tyler Kennedy looks extra shovey with him.

Click Here for the Rest of the Live-Blog

18:21 - Giveaway by CROSBY and Franzen gets a good chance but Fleury stops that. Big rebound but it's cleared. Play is called on the off-side, not much of that last night. Expectedly this game isn't up to as feverish of a pace as it was last night. Not that I'm complaining...or...anything.

17:48 - Penguins get a good chance but is stopped by Osgood.

17:01 - I must be a terrible person because I giggle everytime I hear "Abdelkader". I don't know why.

16:33 - Ah...seeing somebody beating Hal Gill on a rush. I missed seeing that.

15:49 - Kronwall shoots and it...HITS THE CROWD. So close! Well that was semi-exciting!

14:39 - Lidstrom schooled Bill Guerin. I sort of love that.

14:07 - Icing call on the Penguins and Guerin has been on the ice for a hundred hours now. Still can't leave either. I do like the tie Bylsma's sporting today though. Joe Louis also gets its first music faux pas...All-American Rejects? Really? We really are back in 2008.

13:05 - Big shot from Letang and bigger save from Osgood. Icing call on the Wings now.

12:07 - Puck deflected off the boards. Man, 12 minutes and already the first commercial! That was unheard of last night! Speaking of which, that Keith's commercial with the popped collar speech is kind of awesome.

Abdelkader is the Subway Hockey Night Bio of the night. Abdelkader!

11:45 - Pens are out-shot 6-1 so far. Come on, do you really want to be steam rolled again? Not that I would so much object to that.

11:17 - Icing again called on the Penguins but it's a short one as somebody (perhaps wisely) dumps it into the benches.

10:53 - Hossa with a shot that didn't have enough mustard on it and it flutters wide. Is it me or is Hossa actually kind of useful lately? Why couldn't this have happened when...oh...I don't know, he was playing for us?

10:28 - Staal's got some tissue stuffed up his nose to stop the bleeding after an altercation behind the net with Osgood. Which...ouch and...eew.

10:10 - Icing again on the Penguins. Period 1 is going to take forever!

9:28 - Staal is right in Maltby's wheelhouse along the boards but...he can't do anything about it because Maltby's got the puck Velcroed to his stick before he centres it and gives it away.

Okay, I just have to ask about this Coke Zero commercial. Why are his eyes French, his tongue British and his brain American? Or am I just too dense to get it?

8:18 - Holmstrom tries to pass to Zetterberg but it's picked off by...Crosby. That could end tragically but Osgood makes the save.

7:34 - These passes are so crisp and seamless by the Wings. I sort of forgot what clean plays looked like.

6:48 - The Penguins can't seem to find the net at all tonight but at least their D seem to be controlling the Wings just as well.

5:50 - Osgood way out of the blue paint and makes the save.

Bud Light Lime? Why don't I just drink Sprite then? Oh...right there would be no drunkenness involved.

5:25 - Call me crazy but I kind of like the way Hughson says "Zetterberg" he enunciates it so you can really hear the "T"s

4:04 - Malkin with some speed but, as Hughson puts it, is greeted by "A Wall of Wings". I just have this really funny image in my head of an actual wall of fluttery wings. *cough*

3:58 - First penalty of the game goes to Kronwall for cross-checking.

3:10 - If the Pens want to get something going they really need to connect on this PP--and just as I'm typing this they squeak it past Osgood after a mad scramble in front. 1-0 Pens thanks to...Brad Stuart. Well, he meant well. I think it's actually going to Malkin.

1:43 - That goal must have helped because the Pens are playing with a lot more confidence and organization. The Wings looked trapped a little in their zone. Holmstrom clears it but turns it over at centre ice.

1:03 - Franzen backhands...wide of the net.

0:00 - Period ends with a 1-0 lead for the Penguins. Shots were 7-1 Wings but now 11-7 for the Penguins.

First Intermission
Coach's Corner is coming up. For those interested, my intermission programming is "Law & Order: CI" for today.

Thanks for sticking around for the live-blog, SI faithful but unfortunately this is all I can manage for tonight. The game will still be on in the background but work obligations beckon. Stay tuned for Tuesday for a possible OBC reunion on the live-blog!

Live-Blogging the Finals: A Fine SI Tradition Since 2004

2009-05-30T21:33:00.033-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I know this blog has gone through a lot of neglect but today, on a whim, I've decided to recommit myself to this space and build it back up from the ground. Well, not quite the ground. I mean there are still 3 of you kicking around, aren't you? Hello to the 3 of you! I even took back my name! (Note: Not my real name)

In any case, no matter how busy my life gets, I always find time to live-blog the finals. Even though I vowed this year that if it was a repeat of the Wings vs. Penguins I would somehow sleep through it (which seemed likely today as I've been laid up all day with a cold. Don't worry, it's not swine...I don't think).

While due to my real life obligations (read: job), I can't blog as much as I would like, I think I'm done with making excuses as to why I don't. Even though I see a long off-season ahead where I'm clawing at news to post, I'm sure we'll find something. We'll suffer through it together you and I.

So, check back at around 7:45 EDT for the annual SI Stanley Cup Finals Live-Blog and marvel as the quality dissolves not due to alcohol, but as I start chugging the cold medication. It'll be epic.

7:50 pm - What the heck is this "Battle of the Blades" thing on CBC with Tie Domi and Bob Probert. I get the feeling it's figure skating related...I am both intrigued and disturbed.

7:51 pm - Elliotte Friedman tells us that Sidney Crosby is very competitive. So much so that he refused to leave the golf course when he was tied at the 18th hole with his father. Oh, Sid. Haven't you heard of a thing called respecting your elders?

7:53 pm - Well, Sid's beard might look slightly better this year but it could still use some filling in. Apparently his favourite activity in the summer is to go fishing by himself. I have...no comment on that whatsoever because I think just the thought of fishing put me right to sleep.

8:01 pm - Just the mere sight of Steve Yzerman makes me happy. That still doesn't mean I'm cheering for the Wings though. Or the Penguins. According to Steve, Detroit will win if...they win 4 games. Thanks, Steve!

8:11 pm - One of the things I do love about HNiC: their dramatic musical montages. Today's offering is "The Scientist" by Coldplay. Well, at least it's a Coldplay song that doesn't put me to sleep. Today's montage is done similar to the music video for "The Scientist" where everything goes backwards and we see some childhood memories from some of the key players. It's well done and suitably dramatic as per the CBC's usual montages. If I cared about either team, it would certainly bring a tear to my eye.

8:14 pm - The Octopus inflatable is released from the scoreboard at centre ice and some poor game screw schlup has to skate it safely off the ice. Don Cherry stares on in wonder. Datsyuk and Draper is out for the Wings. Penguins icing 11 forwards and 7 d-men. Apparently Chris Pronger has some advice to give them, something about stomping your enemies into submission. I might be paraphrasing here.

National Anthem - You know what I would like? To hear the Canadian anthem at the finals one of these days. And Lidstrom has some very funky spiked up hair going on. Nice. Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay for the ceremonial puck drop. Nice touch. I see throwing octopi on the ice isn't so much banned as long as their lil ocotopi.

Click Here for the Rest of the Live-Blog

First Period
20:00 - Jim Hughson with the call. Bill Guerin gets the first shot on goal. It's his first final appearance since 1995. Oh, Billy G. Fleury makes his first save of the Finals game and he's already doing better this year than last what with not tripping on the entrance and everything. Massive rebound off the save but nicely cleared by Scuderi.

18:47 - Max Talbot with a shot off a bounce off the dasher boards and a good save by Osgood. Things getting chippy early. Apparently part of the home ice advantage of the Wings is doing where the puck bounces off the boards. Sure, I guess that sounds kind of true.

18:11 - It really does please me to see Tim Hortons rinkboards in American stadiums for some reason.

17:20 - Zetterberg in on a 1-on-2 and just shoots it in. Good end to end action here early.

16:50 - Confession... I still don't really know how to pronounce "Bylsma".

16:05 - Staal with a short-side shot and Osgood swallows it up. He's like a puck vortex! Whereas Fleury is giving out rebounds, but he's controlling them all right so far.

15:45 - Cleary to Zetterberg to Franzen...with a great one-timer that goes off the post and the crowd goes wild! So close!

15:00 - I will say this about the Penguins, they seem to be giving as good as they're getting and they don't look way over matched as they did last year.

14:20 - All sorts of traffic in front of Fleury and the Pens have some trouble getting it out of the zone before it's finally cleared.

13:33 - No whistles so far. Great continuous action, barely have time to take a breath!

12:34 - Shots 4 on 4 so far...I swear it felt like more. Hossa delays and shoots and stopped by Fleury as it flutters to the other side.

11:53 - Orpik lays a big one on Hossa. I was wondering if any of them was going to get extra saucy with Hossa.

11:40 - Finally a whistle when the puck goes off the netting. And we can finally go to the bathroom. Osgood's favourite band is "The Eagles". I KNEW there was something I didn't like about him. Asides from being a Red Wing.

10:53 - One of the things I enjoy judging the arenas on is their choice of music. Joe Louis is playing Rise Against right now...I think I might slightly approve.

10:21 - Crosby now on a line with Cooke. He wheels and deals into the zone and Cooke gets a good shot off that's stopped by Osgood.

9:41 - Malkin from behind the net with a good chance on his own but the puck slides off his stick.

8:51 - Staal breaking to the net, off to Tyler Kennedy but tipped off the net, great defensive play by the Wings!

7:55 - Red Wings bring it to centre but that's as far as they'll go. Good pressure by the Pens as they get it back deep into the zone. Shot on Osgood holds onto but there's no whistle until he drops it back onto the ice.

6:22 - Brad Stuart off the boards and into the net just trickled by Fleury. 1-0 Wings. Guess knowing where the bounces go really does help!

5:45 - Wings have a 8-1 record when scoring first. Not that these stats mean anything...of course.

5:06 - Great chance by Zetterberg that goes high. Zetterberg again with another shot off a turnover that's stopped.

4:49 - Wings have the Pens deep in their zone and take the opportunity for a line change after Zetterberg had been on for what seemed like forever.

4:18 - Malkin's backhander is wide of the net and it looks like Osgood got a piece of it.

4:04 - Hossa bursts after the puck to get in alone but to quote Hughson "Hal Gill had to be as quick as he could be"...which elicited a giggle out of me.

3:14 - Is it just me or does "Abdelkader" sound like an organ of some kind? Like "Ouch! My Abdelkader!"

2:15 - Wings keep it in before the Pens finally get it out. Things have calmed down a bit, it looks like the teams are taking their time a bit more with line changes and such. Makes sense after the fevered pace the game started out with.

1:24 - Malkin takes a shot and Osgood can't control the rebound and Fedotenko has a wide open net to score! 1-1 tie!

0:41 - The Wings respond well to the goal by pinning the Pens back in their own zone. Couple of good chances but none that connect.

0:00 - And that's time. Tied 1-1 after one. Everybody is on the edge of their seats.

1st Intermission
Coach's Corner is coming up...I think I'll go watch some Robin Hood.

2nd Period
19:35 - Shot early for the Penguins and Osgood with some mad moves to make a save off a scramble in front of him.

19:20 - Puck over the boards and out of play. Man, I can't even remember when the last time that happened was!

18:08 - Osgood attempts to clear but puts it on a Pens' stick, he makes the save and didn't know there was a rebound but it's safely cleared for an icing call. First one of the game!

17:05 - Maltby with a hard shoot in and almost has a chance all alone in front but is stopped.

16:37 - Malkin on a break away off of what seems like a trip on Kronwall that's not called. Malkin's in all alone and a full head of steam and STOPPED BY OSGOOD. And the crowd goes wild!

16:23 - Shots 5-1 for Pittsburgh so far in the 2nd. Kris Letang may or might not be hurt. He looks like he's in some pain on the bench.

15:30- First penalty of the game for the Wings. Lebda in the box.

14:47 - Guerin with a shot, Osgood saves and the Wings clear it but the Pens bring it back up again with ease. Lidstrom gives it to Hossa and wastes some time in the Pens' zone.

13:49 - Malkin tries to tap it on the side of the net with some space but Osgood saves! Mad scramble before it's cleared to the blueline.

13:21 - Penalty over and Pens get another shot but Osgood hangs on.

13:15 - Red Wings come out 3-on-2 but doesn't get a good chance before Staal brings it back out again.

12:55 - Staal hauled down and Samuelsson is off to the box. Second PP for the Pens in the period.

12:35 - Short-handed chance by the Wings but is saved by Fleury.

11:10 - Gonchar can't keep it in, only 10 seconds left in the PP...and the crowd cheers...?

10:51 - Penalties over and Samuelsson is back on but the Pens have the puck in the offensive zone. The Wings players must be dog tired.

9:40 - Pens have the Wings pretty deep in their zone before they finally clear it on the icing. They look like they're on their heels a bit. Babcock is suitably aggravated.

8:08 - Hockey Night Close Up is about how Zetterberg and Crosby are practically the same person. I think that's an insult to Zetterberg's much more impressive playoff beard.

7:13 - Satan makes one deke too many and Osgood stops him off of a good chance.

6:31 - Crosby makes a fancy schmany spin but is stopped by Osgood! Hooking call on the Penguins and the Wings get their first PP of the game. And...the Empire's Theme from Star Wars plays. Nice.

5:31 - Offside call on the Red Wings. This PP isn't looking too organized.

4:27 - Holmstrom's ass is right in front of Fleury's face but he manages to stop the puck anyways. All sorts of shenanigans in front of the net. Cooke is at the center of it all. What a surprise.

4:10 - Penalty's over. Both teams still tied at 1.

3:03 - Gill with a shot, Osgood makes the save and another crowd gathers at the front. Man, these goalies sure are popular!

2:45 - Boys are saying if the Penguins come out of this period with nothing it will be a darn shame and I tend to agree. They really were the stronger team in this period.

1:49 - Red Wings with a great deal of pressure in the Pens zone before Guerin finally clears the puck.

1:15 - Icing call on the Penguins. Gill and Scuderi are gasping for air. "Ghost Town" by Shiny Toy Guns plays...another good choice. Bylsma wisely calls for a time out to give his troops a breather.

1:12 - Okay whatever this poppy techno they're now playing is has erased any good will I had of them.

1:04 - Crowd in front and the RED WINGS SCORE! Looks like it might go to Cleary. Stadium explodes appropriately.

0:20 - Zetterberg with a good shot but is gobbled up by Fleury. Good thing that goal hasn't shaken him up too badly.

0:00 - Period over and the Wings are up 2-1.

2nd Intermission
Lebrun, Strachan, Morrison and McLean are on The Hotstove. No Mike Milbury? You mean I shall be denied a potential fist fight between him and Strachan once more? Back to Robin Hood it is.

3rd Period
19:20 - Hughson with a fun tidbit: Zetterberg and Crosby have seen over 12 minutes of Even Strength action so far.

18:45 - In this year's playoffs, Wings are 9-0 when leading after 2.

18:33 - Malkin barely gets away from the missile that is Kronwall. Man he just throws himself at anything.

17:48 - Darren Helm is in all alone and...is STOPPED BY FLEURY. Good stick work by Gill to throw him off. Man, I never thought I'd say anything "good" about Gill if it wasn't paired with the word "Grief".

17:14 - Abdelkader with a shot that alludes Fleury. Staal lost sight of the puck and he dejectedly skates back to the bench. 3-1 Wings!

16:32 - Osgood stops a good hard shot by Letang. Good to see Letang is feeling better.

15:56 - Crosby tries to bank it in off the post and off Osgood and Osgood pounces on it and a pile-up occurs. The frustration is boiling over...

14:13 - Crosby gains the zone and makes some space while his teammates catch up, Hossa finally clears the zone.

11:11 - Good end to end action so far. No whistles, no nada. The boys are just letting the boys play.

9:27 - Darren Helm had 9 minutes of ice time so far.

7:38 - Icing call on the Red Wings and Babcock calls a timeout. "What I Like About You" on the system...eh. It's not the most original choice but I think it's an arena staple. And then it's the Mortal Kombat theme! You're back in my good books, music people.

5:36 - Tim Horton's commercial where the Penguins' bus breaks down and he goes off to play with the little Timbits. Oh please, as if the Pens' personnel would let him off that bus. I do like this one better than "Just a couple more minutes" though.

5:30 - Shots 30-30 overall. Off-side call. This game has slowed down quite a bit.

4:08 - Loads of action in front of Fleury and he's flying all over the place to stop the puck. Good pressure by the Wings, even better saves by Fleury!

2:33 - Maltby just lost his helmet and now Kronwall loses his. Come on guys, tighten those buckets. Speaking of Maltby, I literally have not heard his name in this game until now. Had a good couple of shifts though.

1:45 - Extra attacker and net empty for the Pens. Hossa makes a beeline to the net but he misses wide.

1:13 - Lidstrom holds the zone and the net is empty, Pens have some trouble getting out but the Wings have some trouble getting to the net as well.

0:41 - Icing call on the Red Wings. No time out, no change. Could be tight. Lemieux looks on and does not look best pleased.

0:18 - Lidstrom gets it out and Gonchar takes his sweet time getting to the puck...and it will be another icing call on the Wings.

0:00 - And that's time! Red Wings take Game 1 and the Penguins are forced to go back and regroup.

The Penguins are a stronger team and they even controlled the play at times tonight, but in the end the Red Wings still came through. This won't be as easy of a series as it was for them last year as the Pens have shown that they are indeed a better team than last year. It ought to be a good challenge and we'll see how both teams respond.

See you tomorrow and thanks for hanging out for the long-winded liveblog!

Dear the New York Yankees...

2009-05-16T11:49:00.001-04:00

WTF?. No, seriously. I mean I guess it's a cute fun summer thing for children but...really? You're not THAT starved for cash are you? You're the Yankees for crying out loud.

Just as long as you stay far and away from the NHL. Although I can't say I wouldn't be mildly intrigued by tangerine flavoured Senators apparel. It would be delicious!

Dance Cards Have been Drawn

2009-05-15T17:58:00.002-04:00

For the record: Go 'Canes, Go Blackhawks!

If this turns into another Wings vs. Penguins final I may have to boycott if only because I have such negative feelings towards both teams...then again is it worth missing the awesome hockey?

I will admit this, as little invested as I am in this year's post-season, we've seen some damn fine hockey. I never thought I could care less about Sid vs. Alex but that turned into a fine match-up (the dud that the Capitals produced in Game 7 excepted).

Tomorrow I shall be heading to the Toronto FC game. I can't say I won't be plotting ways to which I can somehow sneak down to Detroit and Chicago for a couple of games.

Picks. Let's hear 'em.

Fire Up the Wheel

2009-05-09T13:55:00.002-04:00

Witness one of the many exhibits of why Round 2 of this year's playoffs totally sucks: Alexander Ovechkin's knee-on-knee on Sergei Gonchar.

Normally in circumstances like this I would get riled up on behalf of the wronged party but...it's the Penguins. I mean, I'm not at the point where I enjoy seeing people getting injured. But it's the Penguins. And of course the League isn't going to be doing anything about it because it's Ovechkin and to take away even just one game of the EPICOHEMGEE CROSBY VS. OVECHKIN marquee would be to put a dagger in the heart of the MSM.

I'll be watching the match-up tonight and yes, I will be cheering for the Capitals if only because Ovechkin is in my playoff pool. I've been a terrible little blogger lately and hope that will change once training camp opens and we're all filled with the happy optimism that preludes the eventual disappointment and bitterness. Hourray!

One thing to look forward to, thanks to Five for Smiting, our Swedish Saviour has arrived!.

Wipes the Dust off the Blog

2009-05-06T20:40:00.004-04:00

Faithful readers, well the few of you that are left I suppose. It's not that I'm intentionally ignoring this blog. I thought that I could figure out how to balance work and blogging but apparently...I'm lazier than I thought.

It's not just work seems to be eating my face off, but I have to tell you...this year's playoffs suck. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, even with the OH EM GEE MARQUEE MATCH UP of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, I just can't seem to get into it this year. Maybe it's because the dramatic and up and down but mostly down season the Senators put me through has absolutely warn me out. And listen, I love hockey and the playoffs even if the Senators aren't in the post-season...but there is not a single team in Round 2 I can get behind. The Blackhawks and Canucks match up is intriguing, but unfortunately with the late starts I can't sit through the entire game without falling asleep or paying for it the next morning. And of course, my Western team, the San Jose Sharks which might as well be christened the Senators of the west had another Round 1 implosion. Suffice it to say this year doesn't have a lot going for it.

Of course this off-season isn't without some intriguing stories, namely Jim Balsillie's latest attempt to own an NHL franchise. Gary Bettman is fighting tooth and nail to not let it happen. Because Balsillie 1) actually has money and 2) actually likes hockey. At this point, Balsillie just looks desperate, but I give him props for sticking to his guns and making no bones about him wanting to move this team. Here is a ready, willing investor and he wants to make sure it's done on his terms and if Bettman isn't happy with it, he'll have to go off and hope another White Knight comes riding in.

I'm not going to rehash the arguments for whether or not there should be another NHL team in Southern Ontario. Frankly, everybody has an opinion on it and I'll keep my thoughts to myself on the matter except to say that Copps Coliseum is nowhere near NHL ready and while I think it's a gross injustice that there aren't more NHL teams in Canadian markets, the Bulldogs, Marlies, Sabres and I dare say the Coyotes don't deserve to get screwed because some billionaire has some money to spend.

Further Proof I Know Nothing Of Hockey

2009-04-30T21:36:00.006-04:00

So lets see...

Habs speedbump, check.

Rangers speedbump... not quite, but still gone.

Canucks took the slipper off of Cinderella and beat her on the head with it, check.

The Flyers "balanced attack" apparenlty had all the balance of a drunk college girl.

The Devils 'Canes was probably the exact opposite of a snoozer (I still can't believe the Devils lost, they were up 3-2 in the third!!!)
As a Sens fan I do feel obligated however to say to the Devils fans, doesn't losing a game 7 with a goal in the dying minutes suck? Yes it does. It sucks even more when it's the Eastern Final and you fought back from down 3-1 in the series. SUCK IT JEFF FRIESSEN!

Columbus looked like they weren't even in the same league as the Red Wings for the first 10 periods of that series.

Calgary... wow... that team is just a whole lot of over rated individuals right there. I get the feelings from a great portion of Flames fans (Flamer Nation?) that they are unhappy with the apparent lack of heart or effort from their captain. I would welcome a swap with Ottawa for Jason Spezza. You know... just throwing that out there. They'll even through in a barely used Christoph Schubert!

San Jose... Ottawa Senators West Coast Affiliate, what else is there to say? I just don't understand. For years people would always point to the Sens as a favorite to win the cup but they always had an easy to pick out achilles heel with goaltending... similar to Philly for so many years. But you look at San Jose and I don't see where the deficiency is. They have the defence, they have the goalie, they have the forwards? What gives? I will not accept the "Joe Thornton is not a playoff performer" excuse. I can't see how one guy can poison a whole team that much. Especially considering for his first half of his Senators playoff career Alfredsson had the same label but he's been pretty nails for the team in the last few years.

So I guess to paraphrase Jimmy the Greek about my first round selections, "when you are right 37.5% of the time... you're wrong 62.5% of the time"
Oh, why didn't I mention that before?

So without further distraction (and because the first game is already underway as I type) let us get on to my further demonstration that I know nothing about hockey

4 Quick Thoughts On The Capitals and Penguins
1) Isn't it odd that Martin Brodeur the recently annointed "best goalie ever" let in not 1 but 2 goals to lose game 7 in the final minute and 20 seconds which now leads to Gary Bettmans wet dream matchup?
2) Everyone is talking Sid vs. Ovie, but what about that other guy? Malkin is his name, you know, MVP candidate... ya Sid vs. Ovie, got it.
3) Simeon Varlamov would be the most amazing story of the playoffs about a rookie goalie shinning with zero experience if it wasn't for Jonas Hiller doing the same damn thing.
4) I think Washington learned a lot in their first round series and actually transformed but I'm a little worried they might have an injury to Green and am wondering which team shows up to start this series.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Bruins and Hurricanes
1) I can't help but think "Steve Chaisson"
2) It's about time a team from Boston got a break. That city needs a win so badly.
3) Boston is catching lightning in a bottle this year getting huge contributions from young guys on cheap contracts. They can't hope to keep up this consistency in the cap era for much longer before the young guys will want to cash in.
4) On one hand you have Milan Lucic who is fun to watch beat people in to the ground but on the other hand you have the 'Canes who've been there recently and are starting to round in to form that got them to the last one.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Red Wings and Ducks
1) Much like with the Hurricanes I get a real familiar feeling watching this Ducks team. Both of them seem like real deja vu stories compared to their recent cup runs.
2) If Detroit would have won the 2007 Western Final, I would have had seats to a Stanley cup game, so screw them.
3) If the Ducks would have lost the 2007 Stanley Cup final, I'd be a lot happier right now, so screw them.
4) Roof collapse, everybody wins!

4 Quick Thoughts On The Canucks and Blackhawks
1) This Blackhawks team apparently never read any of the "they are too young it's not their time yet" required literature.
2) Martin Havlat, on top of his super human 81 game season with 77 points put in 6 points (3G and 3A) in the 6 game series. *cough* contract year *cough*
3) Seriously Nucks fans... planning the parade route already?
4) Commit to the Indian!

Off to a great start... Canucks up 1-0... I suck.

Update: 2-0 Canucks... I suck more.

No Habs No*

2009-04-22T22:01:00.004-04:00

I'd just like to take this moment and congratulate the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club on their 100 years anniversary! To bad they are no longer The Habs... only The Hab nots.

Look on the bright side Habs fans...

... at least you won't have to see these uniforms again for another 100 years.

*Yes I'm completely aware I've stolen the headline.

Our Long National Nightmare Is Over

2009-04-14T22:40:00.001-04:00

Hey look who finally decided to post to the blog! It's about goddamned time! I've just been too busy basking in my awesomeness of being the best Scarlett Ice blogger in the Battle of Ontario Battle hockey pool. WOOOO, SIXTH PLACE! EAT IT!

So I could sit here and rehash the season that we will drink to forget, but unlike most of Leaf Nation I'm aware that 16 other teams are about to indulge in games that actually mean something. Quickly if I may though, how much of a blowhard is Brian Burke today with his "I am going to try and move up in the draft" press conference? Of course the Toronto media just ate it all up. Not much else really going on in the NHL anyway. I wouldn't be at all be surprised if Burke held another press conference in which he accuses chestnuts of being lazy or claims to have invented the question mark.

I have all summer to sit and talk about what went wrong and what needs to be fixed with the Senators but for now let's just talk a little playoffs shall we?

4 Quick Thoughts On The Bruins And Habs
1) History does not matter... the Habs are a going to be a speed bump.
2) The Bruins signed Zdeno Chara and Peter Chiarelli and are eastern conference champions. The Ottawa Senators kept Wade Redden and John Muckler and are paying three head coaches next season.
3) Marc Savard golfs at my in-laws golf course, hopefully not until June.
4) There will be riots in Montreal.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Capitals and Rangers
1) Henrik Lundqvist does not matter... the Rangers are going to be a speed bump.
2) Sean Avery makes me feel stabby.
3) BONGOS!
4) I like Alex the Eights excitement. Don Cherry is going senile.

1 Quick Thought On The Devils and Hurricanes
1) ZZZZZZZZ...

4 Quick Thoughts On The Penguins and Flyers
1) Sidney Crosby is good, Geno Malkin is very good, the Flyers balanced attack is better.
2) Martin Biron will have to be the difference for the Flyers.
3) I'm acustomed to regular season dominance, offensive super stars and the crushing defeat that comes with a question mark in net. I'm acustomed to Flyers hockey.
4) If I can't have a battle of Ontario I'm sure I can enjoy the battle of Pennsylvania.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Sharks and Ducks
1) I've barely watched either of these teams this season.
2) I'm acustomed to regular season dominance, bloated playoff expectations and the crushing defeat that follows them. I'm acustomed to Sharks hockey.
3) This Ducks team, the one with huge cap issues that hey... just squeeked in at 8th, was not assembled by Brian Burke. It was, for the majority, drafted by Bryan Murray then fine tuned by Burke to win the cup, then flushed down the toilet with a bunch of horrible contracts and cap issues created by Burke before he left to become the programming staple for TSN.
4) Regardless if Joe Thornton ever wins a cup, San Jose will always have won the trade for him with Boston and if they could go back, 100 times out of 100 they should still do that deal.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Red Wings and Blue Jackets
1) Detroit seems to be the only team that can win a cup with average goaltending.
2) Unfortunatly it won't happen this year because a hot goalie will beat them in 7 games in the opening round.
3) Antoine Vermette plays for the BJ's, I wish him well.
4) I once road tripped to a game in Columbus. It was worth the 6 hour drive both ways, even if I was severely hung over for the entire ride home.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Canucks and Blues
1) The injury to Robbie Lu this year actually helped the Canucks since it prevented them from allowing him to start every game.
2) As good a story as the Blues were down the stretch the clock is about to strike twelve on this Cinderella story.
3) St. Louis Blue, Brad Boyes had 72 points in 82 games this year and was traded by the Leafs WITH Alyn McCauley AND a 1st round pick for ONLY Owen Nolan.
4) The Blues play in the Central division along with the BJ's and the Blackhawks all of whom did not make the playoffs last year.

4 Quick Thoughts On The Blackhawks and Flames
1) I'm amazed at how many Flames fans are picking the Hawks to win, many of them in 5!
2) I finally think Calgary will get over the first round hump since the trip to the big dance and what better way to do it than over a team that is all bright eyed and bushy tailed over their first trip to the playoffs in 5 years?
3) Two of the three leading scorers on the Blackhawks were 15 the last time the Blackhawks made the playoffs.
4) I just realized Martin Havlat played 81 games for the Blackhawks this year. Mind... blown.

Bloggers on HNIC Preview Show

2009-04-14T20:33:00.002-04:00

Our friends Puck Daddy, Paul Kukla and Tom Benjamin are on the HNIC Preview show on CBC. Right now. TURN IT ON!

Let the Playoffs Begin

2009-04-13T20:18:00.001-04:00

See why I can't ever date a Leafs fan?

Presidents + Hockey

2009-04-08T20:59:00.001-04:00

I'm out of my hibernation to share this gem with you: Obama Accused of High-Sticking In Bicameral Hockey Playoffs.

I do love it when the Onion does hockey news.

Mrow: Senators 2, Panthers 5

2009-03-31T21:56:00.002-04:00

This should really put a dagger in this Pointlessly Optimistic Playoff Quest, right? I mean, I know the Panthers aren't as tragic as they used to be, but come on. Have you seen the standings lately? It's impossible.

That being said, I'm glad for the Panthers winning for another reason: wouldn't it just be absolutely delicious if they screwed the Canadiens out of their playoff spot? I think that would make me happier than the Senators actually making the playoffs.

As you will have undoubtedly noticed, the blog has been super quiet lately, mostly due to how busy work has been lately and unfortunately I haven't found the time or the energy to devote as much time to the space as I would like. I apologize profusely and I also apologize for...constantly apologizing and not doing much about it. Sadly, I also missed the game tonight due to the insanity that is my life lately but I promise that I will find a solution to all of this and that the half-assedness shall not continue. Whether this means having to step away from the blog, I don't know but I will definitely keep the few loyal readers that remain in the loop.

Until next time, folks!

Back to Reality Then: 'Canes 2, Senators 1

2009-03-26T07:16:00.002-04:00

^{(Photo: The Canadian Press)}

Now, I consider myself an optimist, but even I would have been hard-pressed to justify that the Stupidly Optimistic Playoff Quest is anything but a pipe dream. I'm thinking given how fickle some of us fans are, this loss will bring some of them back to reality.

To be fair, both teams were riding on win streaks coming into this game and one of us had to lose. At this point, even if the Senators win their remaining games and everybody else in front of them loses...well, maybe it could happen but I refuse to give in to the hope that it will.

The score was deadlocked with goals by Ryan Shannon who kicked off the scoring and tied up by Rod Brind'Amour, all in the third. Anton Babchuck scored with only 6 minutes left in the period to win it for the 'Canes. It wasn't a TERRIBLE game by any means for the Senators, but once the Canes turned on the pressure, I think the team let it get to them.

Up next, the road swing continues for the Senators. They say hope springs eternal but...not in this case.

Live Blog: ? for 7... Spoil This!

2009-03-21T23:18:00.000-04:00

Once again the OBC (more specifically me) is resorting to the live blog crutch, half assed attempt to fill page space. Our perfect live blog record will be on the line again as we attempt to extend the streak to 7! The Senators visit their old friend Wade Redden and the rest of the Garden Faithful and attempt to climb over the .500 mark for the first time since... hell I have no idea. Bush was in office I'm pretty sure of it though. Tommorow (Sunday) evening, live, 7:30 PM on TSN. We'll start the hilarity about 15 minutes before puck drop as always. Please join us won't you? As always bring the funny.

Live Blog Sens @ Rangers

Well, That's Something: Isles 2, Senators 5

2009-03-21T23:06:00.002-04:00

^{(Photo: The Canadian Press)}

Given that the Isles' playoff hopes were crushed like ours, there really wasn't much to be said in terms of destroying somebody's playoffs hopes in this game. Still, it's always nice to see the boys win and the Senators cruised to an easy victory over the Islanders, whom I really do feel sorry for given the pathetic state of their team, especially with all of the injuries their team has gone through. Also, it's always nice to see Dean McAmmond again.

Chris Neil, Mike Fisher, Dany Heatley, Nick Foligno and Daniel Alfredsson all scored for the Senators as the boys are now FINALLY above .500 and have won seven straight games at home. This would have been really useful earlier in the season but NEVER MIND THAT. At one point the Senators were up 4-0 before Josh Bailey finally got the Isles on the board.

This was a bit of a snoozer after the game was 0-0 after the first period, but it was actually a bit of a scrappy affair with Fisher getting into it a bit and the whole entire team mixing it up a bit after whistles. Mike Comrie missed the chance to suit up against his former team after missing his third straight game with the flu.

There's not much to be said about it from now except...this is actually making me a little bit excited about next season. I know, it seems silly given that the make-up of the team really isn't all that different but heck, if they can play well with this group, why not? I don't know what this means for our coaching situation. Has Cory Clouston done enough to remove the "interim" tag from his title? I would think that Bryan Murray is hard-pressed not to given how much better the team has been since he took over. However, my greatest fear would be to have a redux of this season and we're all just back to old habits again. And frankly, it's an indictment against the team that we can't yet fully trust this team not to do that.

Congrats to Neil who played in his 500th NHL game and congrats to Brian Elliott for owning the franchise win records for a rookie netminder.

The boys are now out on six-game road trip starting in New York tomorrow. Don't miss the OBC Live-Blog right here for the game against the Rangers!

Spoiler: Habs 4, Senators 5

2009-03-20T06:47:00.003-04:00

^{(Photo: The Canadian Press)}

Well, boys. At least the one thing you are doing right this season is playing spoiler. And putting one more dagger in the heart of the Habs' playoff hopes is...fine by me actually.

So a goaltending clinic this was not, but the Senators are once again going nuts on the shot-clock it seems (If you guys witnessed the tilt on Tuesday between the Sabres and the Senators. I myself, was not and that is why there was no post-game for it as I was off getting silly for St. patty's day). Carey Price was yanked after letting 3 of 15 shots in the second period while Cory Clouston let Brian Elliott tough this one out and he did come up with the W, which set a franchise record for the most consecutive wins by a rookie goaltender.

The big guns were firing for the Senators tonight as Jason Spezza scored two and Daniel Alfredsson also contributed. Nick Foligno continues to flourish under Clouston as well. Other things that have been clicking for the Senators lately has been their special teams as their PP went 2-for-2 and their PK was absolutely perfect.

So, what does this mean? Well, the hockey is good again which is no complaint on mine and I do admit that it would be absolutely HILARIOUS if the Habs missed the post-season this year so heck, I'm not complaining. I guess you'll just have to take these wins for what it is. Is it terrible for me to just want this team to be mathematically eliminated already so we can stop having our hopes inflated and having them dashed unceremoniously come April? Is this what being a Kings fan feels like? (No offense, Kings fans. You know I love you)

A Shootout Win, How Quaint: Senators 4, Penguins 3 (SO)

2009-03-15T16:55:00.002-04:00

^{(Photo: The Canadian Press)}

First off, a note to my faithful readers. It's not that I'm ignoring the blog, it's just that life seems to get in the way. When I started the blog, I was still in school and still had pockets of time to update. Now that I'm a working stiff, it feels like whenever I do have time to update I'm way too exhausted and would rather be napping.

But here I am! We're going to make this work, I promise. Every relationship takes work so...we will just have to work on it. Now won't we?

To be honest, part of my lack of motivation for blogging is that I feel like this season is down the tubes anyways, so why bother paying as much attention? Well, apparently it's because the boys are actually playing some pretty good hockey again. Not only did we manage to get back from a deficit in this game against the Penguins, we actually won in a shoot-out. That rarely happens!

Mike Comrie scored the winning shoot-out goal with a slow faked-backhand to forehand sneaky little move and Daniel Alfredsson also scored in the shootout. The boys came back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to win it and to make the Penguins' chances of making the playoffs a wee bit more difficult considering how tight the Eastern Conference is. Chris Campoli, Nick Foligno and Chris Phillips scored for the Senators and the Sens have a ridiculously great record when Phillips scores. Something like 36-6-3 or something similar to that.

The boys were indeed sluggish coming out of the gatee and it came back to bite them but in the beginning of the season, they would have just let that deflate them and rolled over and died. But this time, they pulled themselves up and came out with a very well-exceuted and hard-hitting third period and OT. They even outshot the Penguins 11-1 in the extra frame, although this was probably due to the fact that they had a PP for most of it.

So make of this win what you will. I'm pleased to steal points from the Penguins because of my irrational dislike for Sidney Crosby and uh, the Penguins in general but I suppose a part of me worries about what this means for our draft prospects. Listen, I'm not saying this team should tank. I believe in doing things honestly and honourably, but I don't want this season to be a waste. There's no saving it, I've accepted that fact now. I'm even glad that the hockey is good again, even if it's too little too late. I just feel like all of this should be worth something

Maybe we can say this will serve to knock down the team down a peg or two. It's true, this team had a certain arrogance about it despite having not won anything and maybe this was what the boys needed to wake up and realize that they've still got a ways to go. I just wish it didn't have to hurt as much.

Good to see Antoine Vermette doing so well in Columbus. At least it looks like he'll get to play in the post-season this year.

Blog blog blog blog... LIVE BLOG!!!

2009-03-10T18:15:00.002-04:00

Thaaaat's RIGHT! The super fabulous OBC* live game blog is returning tomomrow night. (or possibly tonight depending on when you are reading this). Wednesday night hockey, live at 7pm on TSN, the team formerly known as Stanley Cup Champions, now known as a speed bump in the Senators Tavares tank ride, Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Ottawa Senators. Fresh off a win against the Leafs (FINALLY!) we will be putting our perfect 5-0 OBC live blog record on the line once again. Granted this is the third pooch we are live blogging from the Southleast division, but who's counting? Please join us won't you? The live blogging should start about 15 minutes before game time and as always remember to bring the funny. Punch and pie would also be appreciated.

*If you don't what OBC is by now, for shame!

Tampa @ Ottawa Live Blog 031109

Being a Bunch of Jerks: Sabers 3, Senators 6

2009-03-07T23:40:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)}

I hope none of you are still deluding yourselves into thinking that the boys are making the playoffs this year. Because they're not. So the only thing left to do is to be a bunch of jerks and make sure the teams we don't like DON'T make the playoffs. Enter Buffalo, stage right! Of course I don't want this to last too long. The goal is still Tavares or Hedman after all but that's not the point.

The point is this, the boys managed to be in the game and actually stay in the game. The boys came out strong and even when the Sabers managed to tie the game, the Senators answered right back eventually scoring 3 unanswered goals for a very decisive victory. Chris Campoli had his best game in a Senators uniform and was the second star of the night. Nick Foligno was the first star with two goals on the night.

The PK was the team's weak spot as all 3 Sabers goals game with the man advantage. The goaltending wasn't great on either end but the Senators managed to come out on top by keeping the pressure consistent and not letting the Sabers coming back and tying to deflate them. Of course, I would like to know where this fire was earlier on in the season but NEVER MIND. We shan't dwell on the past.

Not that I'm the superstitious type but clearly the red home jersey I finally purchased on Tuesday (while attending the Flames vs. Senators game at Scotiabank Place, btw!) after months of hemming and hawing gave them some good luck. Speaking of said trip, I shall have a more detailed summary of it when I get a chance.

Posting Notice
You will see that the posting in here has gotten a bit thin. We do apologize as DHS has exams coming up and I personally have not been able to find the right balance between blogging and work. Unfortunately, this being my first season blogging with a full-time job I'm still trying to find a way to adjust so please bear with us. We're not neglecting you, we promise. We're just...lazy? Tired? Procrastinators? Whichever is the most legitimate sounding.

Your Trade Deadline Coverage: Wherein your Blogger Laughs and Laughs and Laughs and Laughs

2009-03-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

^{(Photo: Getty Images)}

Gentle readers, here's the scoop. I was in Ottawa this past Monday until...well just a couple of hours actually as a mini-vacation. I hesitate to use the word "pleasure" because well, I went to see the steaming pile of crap that was the Senators versus the Flames last night and I hesitate to use that word when describing the game. To be fair, I really enjoyed my experience at Scotiabank Place. Well, everything that took place off the ice anyways.

So this morning, I boarded the plane at around 11 a.m. and by the time I had landed, got into the car and turned on the radio I had heard something about Martin Gerber being claimed off waivers. By the Leafs. I thought I might have misheard so I texted everybody I could think of to confirm.

And then I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed.

Seriously though, good luck to Gerber. I've always been a fan of his as a person and he deserves to catch a break or two.

The most noteworthy trade however would be Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Bluejackets for Pascal Leclaire and a second round draft pick. I always knew that one of Vermette or Chris Kelly would be gone and I guess Vermette is the one who is supposedly more offensive. Leclaire, however is still injured and I guess this just means Murray is rightfully not at all confident in a Brian Elliott-Alex Auld tandem. Yes, apparently a broken goalie is better than what we have now.

Not that I don't like Leclaire. I think he has a lot of great potential when he's on and he's still got time to improve. However, 1) we don't exactly have luck when it comes to injured goalies and 2) Eli Wilson is still questionably employed by this team.

I will miss Vermette though. I didn't think I would because I have been saying he ought to have been traded earlier but it did sound like he was quite attached to Ottawa. We'll miss you, Vermy and best of luck to you.

Filip Kuba has signed a three-year extension and at first we thought it was a sign and trade but it looks like he'll be sticking around to the tune of $3.7 million per season. Apparently, contract talks with Chris Neil have broken down and San Jose has expressed interest. Neil, last I heard is still about a week or so from returning.

30 minutes left. Come on, San Jose, you know you want to!

FAIL!

2009-02-28T23:18:00.002-05:00

Obviously I know this season has been swirling down the crapper for sometime now but I still liked to think the team might provide some kind of happiness by laying a good old fashioned regular season smack down on the Leafs for old time sake. Seriously, they could go 6-76 on a season and I'd be happy as long as those 6 wins come at the hands of the Laughs.

This would have ruined my week after coming back from sunny Cuba if not for the fact I just found out my company has instituted mandatory unpaid leaves of absence in lieu of the recession. YAY America!

Par for the Course: Sharks 2, Senators 1

2009-02-27T06:55:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)}

That course being...on our way to a high draft pick! Woo-hoo!

Which is a pity really considering how promising this game started out. The Senators had a really strong period, even coming out to a 1-0 lead going into intermission, which frankly was a nice surprise in it of itself since I expected them to get completely mauled. Then, the boys got into penalty trouble, lead mostly by Brian Lee, who had a game he must have wanted to forget. Lee received a double-minor after voicing his displeasure for being called for holding...only about a minute after he had just come out of the box for hooking. You know if the sweet and innocent cherub that is Lee is going to start voicing his displeasure, things must have been REALLY boiling over.

Mike Fisher got the lone goal for Ottawa while Milan Michalek and Patrick Marleau scored for the Sharks. While the boys actually didn't look all that terrible 5-on-5, it was the penalty troubles that came back to bite them. Alex Auld got the start for the Senators and it seems like the bloom on Brian Elliott has worn off. At this point, it's whoever wins is in I suppose. Because that worked so well for us last year.

In his third game with the Senators, Chris Campoli once again looked very strong and I'm beginning to feel very good about this trade. I still miss Dean McAmmond, but purely for sentimental reasons. Another complaint I have is that Jarkko Ruutu, Shean Donovan and Jesse Winchester only saw about 7 minutes of ice time.

Oh well, we all knew this wouldn't last forever. Back to reality for us I suppose.

And Renney Makes Four

2009-02-23T19:37:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo: Scott Levy/NHLI/Getty Images)}

That would be 4 coaches out of the 4 teams that started their season in Europe as Tom Renney was let go by the Rangers today. It looked like starting the season in Europe didn't slow down the Rangers any after a red-hot start but after 10 losses in the past 12 games, Renney was fired after only a couple of weeks after Michel Therrien of the Pittsburgh Penguins was fired. The other two teams that started in Europe, the Lightning and of course the Senators all fired their coaches earlier in the year as well.

It looks like a lot of the teams that got off to quick starts are starting to fall apart. While I know exactly how that feels after somehow surviving the 2007 - 2008 season with the Senators and certainly would not wish that on anybody...I sort of find it hilarious when it's the Rangers. Sorry, I'm petty like that.

I know I've been very quiet lately but the Senators have actually been quite busy trading Dean McAmmond and a first-round draft pick they received from the Tampa Bay Lightning via the San Jose Sharks to the New York Islanders for Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli. Yes, Comrie is now back with the Senators. The more pressing issue for me though is losing McAmmond. I miss McAmmond for largely sentimental reasons. I know he wasn't really contributing to the team at all and was most likely not in the future plans but I thought he was a good team guy and a personal favourite of mine. Here's hoping maybe he'll get another role in the organization should he decide to hang them up.

Bryan Murray says that more deals are to come. The playoffs are clearly out of the question for this year so I guess this means we'll be collecting draft picks.

It's Getting Dusty Around Here

2009-02-22T19:08:00.001-05:00

No, gentle readers, we have not in fact abandoned you. DHS is off to some sunny destination because he has money to spend and I myself have been unbelievably busy with work so we haven't had time to update this place over the past week but I promise that we will resume normal programming as soon as we can. Stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

Almost Perfect: Senators 2, Avs 3 (OT)

2009-02-18T06:55:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)}

The Senators rolled into Colorado yesterday with a 5-game winning streak on the line and almost made it a perfect road trip but fell to the Avalanche in Overtime. Still, I have to say this road trip turned out better than any of us could have possibly imagined so this loss doesn't sting all that much. Hey, at least we got a point? (I'm giving this optimism thing a try. I think I'll be much better off for it).

Wojtek Wolski scored off of his own rebound about a minute and a half into overtime and Ryan Shannon had the two tallies for the Senators. Interesting stat about Shannon, he has 9 goals in the NHL and 3 of them were against the Avalanche. Good on ya, Ryan!

The Senators also got a chance to meet an old friend/foe in Andrew Raycroft who was in net for the Avs. He stopped 20 of 22 shots while Alex Auld, coming off a shutout against the Predators last night stopped 24 of 27 shots. It looked promising for the Senators as they managed to score 30 seconds into the game, but then Raycroft actually recovered from the softie.

I can't say much else about this game since I had to go to bed after the first period (I'm an old lady, I know) but from what I've read it looks like Daniel Alfredsson took a puck off the jaw and he's hoping X-Rays will show no significant damage. Here's to a speedy recovery, Alfie! We're on a roll, after all!

Congratulations to Jason Smith on playing his 1,000th NHL career game!

I Mean This in the Best Way Possible, What the Heck is Going On?: Senators 2, Preds 0

2009-02-17T18:51:00.005-05:00

I don't know what to feel. I think I'm happy, but I had just resigned myself to being happy with landing Hedman or Tavares.

You guys read the live-blog. I missed the last bit of the game because I needed to go to sleep for an early meeting this morning. But dang.

I'm just glad Alex Auld finally got a shut-out after so many close calls. We're taking the winning streak into Colorado who aren't exactly challenging right now...let's make it count, boys!

P.S. A-Rod, how do you not find out what you're putting into your body before you actually put it into your body? You should be punished for the sheer stupidity of it all alone.

Senators @ Predators, Live Game Blog

2009-02-15T22:28:00.002-05:00

Senators @ Predators Feb 16

Yes that is right... the perfect live blog record is on the line! Tonight the Senators visit the hockey hot-bed that is Nashville to take on the Predators. Live blog starts at 7:45, puck drops at 8pm on TSN. What better way to spend Family Day than ignoring your loved ones and camping out in front of a computer with complete strangers quoting Simpsons verbatim all while watching a hockey game? All the OBC regulars will be there as well as a few other rabble. Remember, as always bring the funny in the comments section. Punch and pie are accepted. Hope to see you there!

Happy Love Day!: Senators 5, Wild 3

2009-02-14T22:40:00.005-05:00

^AP

Ladies and gentlemen, this game has officially made this the Best. Valentine's. Ever. Not only did the boys win, which is always nice, but they did it in a very convincing fashion after falling behind 0-3 in the first period. I had a sinking feeling when that happened. We all know that this run of wins will come crashing down sooner or later and of course, what a more dramatic way for them to break our hearts than on Valentine's Day?

But no, apparently not. They didn't want to get embarrassed on Love Day and decided to pull themselves up by the boot straps and came storming out of the gates in the second period with 5 answered goals. The Penalty Killing unit continues to impress and remains a constant bright spot for this team as they managed two shorties on the night. The Senators cranked up the volume and pressure on the Wild and for some reason the Wild just couldn't keep up after being so dominant in the first period. You could tell that the confidence was oozing out from the team with the chances they took.

They did many things right tonight, they didn't collapse after the Wild came out to the lead and just kept on battling back. Their passes were crisper and smarter and their forecheck was more aggressive and they were willing to take more chances on plays. Brian Elliott was pulled after the third goal and Alex Auld managed to keep the Wild at bay in relief. Niklas Backstrom started the night and was also pulled in favour of Josh Harding in the third period. The Wild fans sure didn't hesitate to let their disappointment be heard loud and clear. A bright spot for the Wild tonight was Owen Nolan. Three points in the first period and he sure has had the Senators' number over the years. Brian Lee, who is a Minnesota native scored tonight along with Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Phillips and Antoine Vermette. Is it to early to say that Vermette's curse has been lifted?

The Senators weren't afraid to get physical either. Nick Foligno stepped in when Mike Fisher got dumped...and even if it did result in a penalty for Foligno, the PK unit was on fire anyways and it's nice to see the team standing up for one another. The elated looks on their faces after the win tonight is just not something that we see enough of.

I don't know what this means for this team but I can only hope that the team continues to work hard and pull together. They're enjoying hockey again and when they're happy, we're all happy. Frankly, I think this team still needs a couple of tweaks and I'm still not convinced the playoffs are happening this year, but hey, it sure is nice to get a couple of wins in the bag. You've got me believing again, what can I say? I can't stay mad at you boys.

I have to give mad props to the music selections at the Xcel Centre. I love their goal song.

Here's a Happy Love Day to everybody celebrating!

HOLD THE PHONES: Senators 5, Flyers 2

2009-02-12T21:40:00.003-05:00

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Is this real, you guys? I'm not just hallucinating that not only did Antoine Vermette finally score while going for the net but the Senators have actually won three in a row? The last team in the NHL to get their third win in a row and it's ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I never thought this day would come. Well, at least not before I had to be taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

It's a little bit sad what our season has been reduced to that I get such a rush out of this but you know what, at this point I'm just happy for anything we can get. The hockey is good again and we're just taking baby steps to repairing this team's fragile psyche. That's the most important part I think. This team and the new coach has been building up confidence over these last couple of games and you can definitely tell that they're not letting one or two goals deflate them. Brian Elliott may not be the answer to our prayers but he has been stellar lately and I just want him to take this gravy train and run with it. This can only be good for his development and if the team is skating confidently in front of him there's not much more we can ask for. He didn't ask to be dropped into this situation but he has absolutely answered the call.

Jason Spezza had one of his best games and I hope that the talking heads would can it with the trade talk already. He was muscling for the puck, being creative but not costing his team and has been forcing the guys on the other end to actually show him some respect. He's not taken so easily off the puck anymore and he appeared to know the right plays to make. Nick Foligno also had a great game, battling for puck control and dominating on the forecheck.

Oh and Vermette finally scored. VERMETTE FINALLY SCORED. I have never been so happy for him. Dany Heatley also broke out of his goal-slump with two laser shots tonight. It was a fairly disciplined game, well at least in comparison to last night. I didn't feel like we accidentally won this game because our opponent was weaker and disorganized. The Flyers didn't look like the Flyers that we're used to seeing but for the most part they seemed to challenge. But right now, I don't even want to worry about how the other team is playing and focus on the Senators.

They look like a weight's been lifted off their shoulders. I didn't want to blame Craig Hartsburg for their struggles but apparently this is what the team needed to lift their spirits and get loose and enjoy playing hockey again. Now, it might just be the honeymoon of a brand new coach that's spurring them on and it could all come crashing down by this time next week. But I'm trying to have a healthy attitude about all of this and just enjoy the ride. Cory Clouston was brought into a crappity-crap situation and he's made the most of it, just like Elliott.

I'm going to bed happy tonight, and so should the rest of you guys.

Is This....Happiness?: Senators 3, Sabres 1

2009-02-12T06:49:00.004-05:00

^{(Photo: Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)}

Guys. I don't want to alarm you but I think this team just got fun to watch again. I didn't want to blame Craig Hartsburg for this team's suckitude or for putting on some really boring hockey but dang, if Cory Clouston hasn't gotten this guys drinking the Kool-Aid. They actually look like they're having fun out there and the hockey is about a million times more interesting. Maybe it's because Clouston doesn't have any pressure on him. Realistically, the season is over with anyways and he's only got the interim tag so, hey, he's got nothing to lose.

Brian Elliott and Jason Spezza both had some very solid games. Spezza was all over the ice, making plays and battling for the puck. Elliott stood tall, including a break-away chance in the second period that I'm sure was a huge save for the team.

Buffalo, for their part never really looked like they were in it. They seemed sluggish from the start and their PPs were very disorganized, leading to several short-handed chances for the Senators. And boy, were their PPs a plenty for both teams. In case you haven't noticed...we don't seem to like one another much. Jason Smith had a 16 minute penalty which included a 10 minute misconduct and a TRIPLE minor for apparently holding Patrick Kaleta up on the boards. I'm not usually one who thinks Smith is hot but...that was hot. I don't know what the refs were thinking with a triple minor because Kaleta wasn't injured and it was nowhere near an aggressive play, but to be fair Kaleta's back was to Smith.

Chris Kelly had a goal disallowed because of goaltender interference by Jarkko Ruutu, who promptly made up for it by interfering with Ryan Miller in what Pierre McGuire described as a "legal" fashion on the second Ottawa goal. Shean Donovan scored for the Senators in his first game back from a knee injury and Daniel Alfredsson scored the third for the Senators.

It looked like the Sabres were about to mount a comeback when Ales Kotalik scored early in the third period and I had that sinking feeling in my stomach again but apparently this team has found some fight and actually played very responsible hockey that didn't turn into a snooze factory. This season is still over for me, but at least we get to enjoy the hockey a bit more now.

The Senators visit Philadelphia tonight...dare I say 3 in a row?

Emery Throws Hissy Fit, Leaves Russian Team

2009-02-10T20:04:00.002-05:00

^{(Photo: Len Redkoles/Getty Images)}

Drama just seems to follow Ray Emery everywhere although you have to wonder if he's the one that brings it in the first place. Emery has left his KHL team over a salary dispute. According to the story on TSN, Emery is upset over the exchange rate used to pay his $2 million annual salary:

The team has reportedly been using the wrong exchange rate on Emery's $2 million annual wage, and the goalie claims he has been short-changed about 33 per cent of what is owed to him. Mytischchi Atlant is allegedly upset that Emery did not report on Thursday and has threatened legal action.

Emery was having what many thought to be a turnaround season with Atlant as he has put up some stellar numbers. He is 20-6-0, 2.00 GAA with a .930 save percentage. A good, athletic goalie yes, but there comes a point where you wonder if he's worth the aggravation.

The Cure for What Ails You: Griffins 5, Marlies 10

2009-02-08T21:15:00.003-05:00

Are you sick of low-scoring NHL games? Then I highly suggest checking out your local AHL team because apparently scoring isn't an issue down there. Not enough of you attend these games anyways and the hockey is actually quite fantastic. Well, everything but the goaltending I guess.

Point of interest: the Grand Rapids Griffins made four goalie changes during this game.

Dogs Living with Cats!: Sabres 2, Senators 3 (SO)

2009-02-07T23:25:00.003-05:00

^{(Photo: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)}

I must apologize for the relative quietness on SI lately. You see, I had come down with a cold this past week due mostly to my stupidity as I didn't have the foresight to think to dress extra warm when standing outside in the freezing cold for an hour while taking in Wintercity festivities in Toronto. Of course, the cold came during one of my busiest days at work where I was working around 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Yes, I know. Great timing eh?

In any case, after mounting a surprising comeback against Boston on Thursday, it started to look like maybe this team was getting its act together. Frankly, if the game is going into a shoot-out, you can forget about this team even coming out with a victory but apparently they wanted to make up for that loss tonight as they managed to come out on top against Buffalo in the very same shoot-out that had been biting them in the arse.

This was of course, after the Senators had surprisingly managed to gain a 2-0 lead, only to let the Sabres come back into it. The Senators had managed to keep a pretty steady amount of pressure this game as they out-shot the Sabres 42-30 and definitely looked like they had more bounce in their step. Mike Fisher earned the shoot-out winner and while I certainly don't want to take anything away from Brian Elliott, he was certainly lucky that Derek Roy ended up shooting over the net.

Today's victory marks Cory Clouston's first win since taking over for Craig Hartsburg behind the Ottawa bench. I hope he enjoys it because I don't know how many more of these there is to come. I don't know why we seem to play so well against Buffalo but I'd like to keep this gravy train going. It might just be the few bright spots we get out of this season. Well, that and the possibility of John Tavares?

Best not get to hopeful. I'm sure they'll find a way to screw that one up too.

Plain Ol' Challenged: Kings 1, Senators 0

2009-02-04T07:05:00.004-05:00

^{(Photo: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)}

The team is defensively challenged and offensively challenged. I think this team is just plain challenged.

In Cory Clouston's debut as the interim head coach, the team played much better defensively but still couldn't muster anything on the offense. Both rookie goaltenders played well but something is wrong when you can't get anything past Jonathan Quick (Who? Exactly).

This wasn't a completely atrocious effort though. The team looked much more aggressive physically and on the forecheck. Both Mike Fisher and Dean McAmmond had some pretty good scrums and wasn't afraid to use the body and they seemed to be winning more of the little battles that previously they would have given up on. All in all, they at least looked like they had life. Which I suppose at this point is the most you can ask for.

Both teams PPs were dead tonight as both teams went 0-5. The Senators outshot the Kings 29-26 but the Kings got the goal when it mattered, with only about two and half minutes left in the game. With 77 seconds left, the Senators were on a PowerPlay but just couldn't make it happen. Story of this season it seems. And I did predict that we would lose on this week's King's World Podcast with Connie. Surprisingly, it was at a much smaller margin than I had imagined.

If you listen to my appearance on the podcast you'll notice that I am 1) extremely sick and probably hopped up on cold medication and 2) on the "Tank for Tavares" train already.

Seriously guys, there is no hope for this season. Clouston isn't the answer and neither is this blue-line. I think we would all just enjoy the remainder of the season more and not want to completely give up on this lovely team and wonderful sport if we just remind ourselves of the tasty draft pick that awaits us at the end of this dark and long tunnel and just try to enjoy the game for what it is. Take some Gravol to keep the need to puke down.

By the way, are Jesse Winchester and Clouston related? The resemblance is uncanny.

Define: Insanity

2009-02-02T19:52:00.004-05:00

Doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.

Vomit: Suckity Suck Sucks 4, Capitals 7

2009-02-01T20:50:00.002-05:00

I turned this game off after Brian Elliott got pulled and it looks like it was a good call too as that was just an awful, awful second period. However, I'm trying to be optimistic so let's give that a whril, shall we?

Congrats, Brian Elliott on your first NHL yankage! You join the likes of great goaltenders such as Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco who have all been pulled at some point in time! In fact, Patrick Roy doesn't get pulled even when he wants to be sometimes! Not Henrik Lundqvist though. Apparently he only chooses to leave on his own volition.

It truly is a momentous occasion, Elliott. You've joined the big leagues now!

If you'll excuse me, I need to go pop some more Cold-FX because not only am I sick already, this game didn't help any.

Too Much to Hope For: Senators 0, Blue Jackets 1

2009-01-30T21:57:00.004-05:00

After last night's win against the St. Louis Blues, I was filled with a bit of a spark of hope but it was not to be. Apparently, two wins on the road for this team was too much to hope for.

Alex Auld got the start for tonight after a long lay-off and made 24 saves while the Senators managed only 18 shots on Steve Mason who more or less looked like a Vezina winner out there, styming chance after chance. Mike Fisher had a golden opportunity to tie on a 2-on-1 in the third period...only to see his stick break in half. It was just that kind of night for the Senators.

The team's powerplay generated several great chances but unfortunately couldn't make anything happen. While the team wasn't completely terrible, the amount of time that they were trapped in their own zone couldn't make anybody feel good about this team's performance. I'm sure were it not for Auld, the score would have been more lop-sided Still, this team just isn't fun to watch anymore and it isn't just because they're not winning. This team used to play with such spark and pizazz and that swagger just seems to be gone. The only spark around this team right now seems to come from the mouthy owner.

In any case, the clock is running out to salvage the season and if you haven't already gotten on board the Tavares Train, I highly suggest you do. There's always room for one more!

Mini St. Louis Recap
Congrats to Peter Regin on his first NHL goal!

Can You Spot The Crazy Man?

2009-01-29T21:12:00.009-05:00

Well, what a fun filled past couple days it's been here at SI headquarters. Sherry Bomb's computer is apparently giving her grief and some current and former residents of Sens Nation have appeared to go off the deep end.

Tonight on Primetime Sports with Bob McCown, Eugene Melnyk was his guest. He defended his comments yesterday when he said "anyone thinking this team needs to be blown up should get a bomb and blow themselves up." He wasn't exactly apologetic about it the day after. He more or less blamed it on being a joke but did say if he offended anyone he's sorry, but he only meant it as a joke. I guess in this day and age of over sensitivity and political correctness it just doesn't look like the smart thing to say, joke or not. Also with the amount of media coverage hockey has in this country doesn't it seem a little stupid to say anything and think it won't be taken WAY out of context or blown out of proportion? Sloppy seconds anyone?

As for the leaders comments about the hockey team, I'm not quite sure how to take them. Much has been made of the Leafs lack of success in the past and it has been linked with the failure to have a singular owner. An individual behind the scenes with the passion and drive to win it all, and the pockets to make that happen. Well witness now what comes with that passion, drive and deep pockets. It appears to be a whole lot of crazy. While it's nice to have an owner who believes in his team (or says he does) it's a little worrisome that he almost seems reluctant to admit there is even a problem. Melnyk either has his head burried so deep in the sand or he is just putting on the most amazing act ever.

Eugene still believes, though he admits it will be a longshot now, that his team can make the playoffs. He justifies this by saying they went on an amazing run to start the season last year before they tanked and says teams have turned it around in the past and gone on incredible runs no one ever expected. "In sports these things happen all the time and no one ever knows why." He trotted out teams like the Red Sox to back up his crazy idea that things can just magically turn around and all they need is momentum, "momentum is a special thing". The only question I have is how can he possibly think it will just happen... just like that? We've been waiting since about 2000 and goddamned SEVEN!

He also says if you look at the roster, only 4 players have left the team since the Stanley Cup and he doesn't think that can explain the difference from Stanley Cup finalist and high scoring team to basement dweller with a porus defence. Really? He has been watching the last calendar year right? I might be inclined to agree though if only because I think that maybe losing just two players, like puck moving defencemen Corvo and Redden could easily preciptate a fall like we are experiencing.

As delightful as it is to see an owner who wants his team to succeed it's hard to stomach that he's just waiting for some miracle to happen when in all likelyhood as every day goes by the performance of this team is turning more into the norm rather than the exception.

The other dose of crazy today came from none other than Ray Ray, former Ottawa Senators punching bag and cause of all evils in the nations capital, even the transit strike I'm sure of it. It appears in a game the other night it was Emery's annual game in which he decides he'll get into a slugfest. Unfortunatly the combatant on the other end was a trainner from his own team. Now I'm not about to excuse his actions or even try to begin to understand why it happen but I will say this... I've heard from many a person who has played hockey in their lifetime and if there is one thing they all agree it is that you never, EVER, talk to a goalie after they have just been pulled from a game. Goalies the world over already have a reputation for having a couple of screws loose. So if you go over to Ray Ray, a man who has previously demonstrated temper problems as well as pugilistic ability, after a game in which he just got torched by a bunch of NHL rejects and try to put a hat on him whether thems the rules or not, well that would be about the equivalent of poking a bear I would think.

All Ur Base...

2009-01-28T17:54:00.002-05:00

Despite the weather, and the Senators re-emergence of suckitude, I'm not actually in hibernation, but we've been having technical difficulties at SI HQ. Please be patient with us as we try to get this sorted out.

In the meantime, entertain yourself with an oldie but a goodie.

Random Thoughts of No Importance During the All-Star Skills Competition

2009-01-24T20:20:00.007-05:00

- This opening act is kind of terrible.

- I'm always deathly terrified that somebody is going to lose an edge and go crashing into the boards during the fastest skater competition. Of course this fear was only realized by Shean Donovan during the Sens Skills competition. Yikes.

- Ryan Getzlaf says he didn't practice for the shoot-out breakaway challenge. You can tell.

- Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin are adorable.

- This goalie they hired for the breakaway challenge is also kind of adorable.

- Pekka Rinne looks like he's taking this Rookies vs. Sophomore game really seriously. He obviously wants to win this thing.

- You know what would make this game even better? If Carey Price started skating as a forward and jumped into the offense. You can tell he wants to and he's done it before.

- Sidney Crosby is here. And he looks miserable.

- I love Zdeno Chara. I could never hate him because he was and still is awesome and such a classy guy. I am bitter about him leaving only because I liked him so much.

- I love Shane Doan, he's one of my favourite players and I find him underrated. That being said, I had no idea he was this great in the shootout.

- Marc Savard looks 12.

- This "elimination shootout" is longer than it needs to be.

- Tim Thomas might deny it but I totally think he gave that goal to Savard.

- Scott Oake is interviewing Shane Doan's child and is...extremely creepy.

As fluffy and at times boring the All-Star game and skills competition might be, I still love it. It's nice to see the players so loose and having fun with one another. Players who normally are on opposite sides are seen laughing and enjoying the game together. It really brings a personal element to the game and you can tell how much respect they have for one another and for the fans.

Scary AHL Fighting Incident

2009-01-23T22:35:00.005-05:00

^{(Photo: Comcast Sportsnet)}

A scary incident in the AHL tonight during a game between the Manchester Monarchs and the Philadelphia Phantoms. Immediately after the opening face-off, Garrett Klotz of the Phantoms and Kevin Westgarth of the Monarchs got into a tilt that ended up by the boards near the player's bench. Klotz ended up hitting his head on the stanchions of the boards awkwardly and was immediately bloodied and started convulsing, appearing to have suffered a seizure.

The recent reports is that Klotz was taken to the hospital and that he has received stitches and appears to be stable. Sportsnet had video of the footage and it was a very scary incident by the looks of it so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. It's good to hear that Klotz is all right. Regardless, this is bound to re-open the debate on fighting in the game.

Luc Robitaille On Bones

2009-01-22T19:47:00.002-05:00

Martin Gerber is Waived. And nobody is surprised.

Onto more exciting news, Luc Robitaille was on this week's episode of "Bones". I don't watch the show at all, but I had been a big fan of David Boreanaz, one of the stars of the show since he played Angel. Boreanaz is also a huge hockey fan and even blogged for NHL.com at one point.

Is this...Happiness?: Capitals 2, Senators 3

2009-01-21T06:59:00.000-05:00

The best way to celebrate America's Inauguration Day? A tilt between the two nation's capitals of course.

Guys, I think this is happiness I'm feeling. I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything about this team actually lifting itself from the pit of suckage...but dang it's always nice to see the team pull itself up from the boot straps and show some character.

Like I mentioned, I did miss the first period because I was out skating. As happy as I was to see the Senators leading, that of course didn't last long as the team was badly outshot 3-12 in the second period. Of course, thanks to Brian Elliott this team managed to stay in it and win the game thanks to a very timely goal by Brendan Bell off of a tripping penalty by Alexander Semin. Semin had a disastrous shift going into that penalty with a really bad give away as well.

Dany Heatley scored the other two goals for the team, both on the PowerPlay. More than ever, we need the Heater to get going, not because he's expected to, but this team has a .811 winning percentage when he scores twice in a game. Thanks, TSN!

Shean Donovan was injured in the Sens Skills Competition this past weekend which gave Peter Regin a chance to be called up from Binghamton. In his Senators debut, he was fairly quiet but did manage over 10 minutes of ice time. Christoph Schubert was moved back to forward so that Bell could be reinserted in the line-up after being a healthy scratch. Considering he potted the game winner, I think it was obviously a good move on Craig Hartsburg's part.

The team was also effective in shutting down Alexander Ovechkin. Normally, he has the Senators' number as he has ridiculous numbers against us, but yesterday, while he was certainly effective pushing people around and making great plays, the Senators managed to keep him off the score sheet.

While I'm ecstatic with the win and happy to see our PP clicking, I don't know if it's cause for concern at all that all of our goals came with the man advantage and whether or not we should be worried about this team's ability to score even strength. This does give me the faintest of all faint hopes that they can make a playoff run but I suppose with the All-Star Break coming up, the team can't really ride this momentum wave into more games. Let's just hope some time away will re-energize this team and they won't slack off in the time between.

Team Red Wins Sens Skills Competition

2009-01-18T20:59:00.002-05:00

The Ottawa Senators had their annual skills competition today where Team Red defeated Team Black 15-10. The teams were as follows:

Team Red: Alex Auld, Chris Phillips, Brendan Bell, Mike Fisher, Dany Heatley, Filip Kuba, Jesse Winchester, Antoine Vermette, Brian Lee, Nick Foligno, Jarkko Ruutu, Greg Carvel (coach), Tim Pattyson (assistant coach)

Team Black: Brian Elliott, Christoph Schubert, Shean Donovan, Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Jason Smith, Chris Kelly, Anton Volchenkov, Chris Neil, Dean McAmmond, Alexandre Picard, Curtis Hunt (coach), Adam Douglas (assistant coach)

Antoine Vermette won both the accuracy competition and Fastest Skater competition while the hardest shot went to Christoph Schubert, registering a 101.5. The full list of winners can be found on the Senators website and hopefully highlights can be found soon.

Despite the suckitude we seemed to be mired enough, I always love the skills competition. It's something that is entertaining, if not somewhat superfluous and right now it's proving to be a good diversion.

Back to the haul tomorrow, I suppose.

You Deserve Better Than This: Habs 5, Senators 4 (SO)

2009-01-17T21:53:00.005-05:00

So listen, I don't like to complain too much about the reffing in a game. It's never really ever the reason why a team loses a game but I just have to say off the top that the officiating was awful in this game. Get your eyes checked, refs. ALL OF YOU. And that is all I will say about that.

At certain points in this game, I thought the Senators deserved to win this game. They came out with a lot of firepower, there was offensive pressure, there was fight in their game. Even getting screwed over with an early 5-on-3 where they fell behind 1-0, they managed to crawl their way back from deficits. But then the atrocious second period where it was simply one turnover after another made me think, "Hmm, well maybe not". Then again, I was hardly surprised. When the opponent turns on the heat, the boys simply can't handle it. But the way the team got their act together in their third and managed to fight their way back thanks to Dany Heatley made me believe again, so I suppose this was the fairest outcome that could come out of it. Another good that came out of his game is that we have secondary scoring at least. Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly both scored after what seemed like a long drought.

Brian Elliott had a fair game overall, even though the 4th Habs goal was a bit weak. He was stellar on the two breakaways thanks to brain farts on the Senators' part. I thought he deserved better than the outcome tonight, but there is only so much you can expect Elliott to do. That slow-start-mind-game Maxim Lapierre did as part of his shoot-out attempt threw us all for a loop I think.

The last made rush in OT made me believe that it was possible that the Senators would manage their first 3-game winning streak of the season but it was not meant to be. Bryan Murray has said that this would be the game that he would determine whether or not he would leave the team alone and let it try to get into the playoffs as is. I guess this can only mean more changes are a-coming. All I can say is that something good can come out of all this turmoil we're being put through. Something good with the initials JT (No, not Justin Timberlake, thank you).

My co-blogger DHS would like to offer up this contribution for tonight. He believes that Alex Picard is like one of those pitchers in baseball that can "eat up innings". In an attempt to find out what he does well he offers up this list:
- He fills out a uniform nicely (Well, I guess that's debatable)
- He does a good job of preventing his helmet from caving in
- We can mostly overcome whatever screw-ups he makes.

We're also in consensus that while he was awful at the beginning of the year, he has certainly gotten better. Brian Lee has also been showing a lot of positive development despite looking like a lost puppy at the start. Plus, he seems to be gobbling up the ice time so you know Craig Hartsburg sees the potential in him.

And while I'm rarely in agreement with most of what Greg Millen says he did make two good points today: 1) Jason Spezza is not the problem with this team and it's time that Senators Nation starts realizing how important he is to this team and 2) Hartsburg is not a bad coach. Our (lack of) fortunes is not his fault.

Gerber Sent to Binghamton

2009-01-15T20:17:00.002-05:00

^{(Photo: Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)}

With Brian Elliott winning back-to-back games and Martin Gerber being a healthy scratch, the writing was on the wall for Gerber. The decision was official today as the Senators have sent Gerber to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. Officially it's a "two-week conditioning stint" although it's hinted that it may be a preface to something more permanent:

"The plan is to get him playing again," Senators' general manager Bryan Murray stated on a conference call. "He felt that he would like to do this, to go down, take the voluntary assignment and play. In the meantime, I will continue to investigate if there's outside interest for him."

The move means that Gerber could be traded, waived or sent to the minors on a permanent basis. Murray also stated that a possible loan to a European franchise was being investigated as well. It also means that Elliot is likely to stay with the Sens for the remainder of the season.

Elliot's certainly done his job while he was up here and he's deserved a longer look. Murray did say that these last two games were going to help him make his decision about the direction of this team and which shake ups he'll need to make. I'm not so sure this is all this team needs but I guess it's a start.

End Times, Senators 3, Thrashers 2

2009-01-14T22:12:00.003-05:00

No you aren't seeing things, yes the Senators won... on the road. I'm as surprised as you too. The OBC successfully put their perfect record of live blogged games on the line so I think it's safe to say tonights victory was 100% our doing. Forget systems or coming together, or chemistry, or getting serious, or seeing the writing on the wall. It was us all us. Your welcome. Not much else to report on this game, I'm still a little confused by this whole "consecutive victories" thing. As well as "offence". When I figure out where I am I'll get back to you.

Also in other news the Senators crappy streak lately has apparently got them relegated, or thus is my understanding from this screen cap at tsn.ca earlier today.

Thrashers @ Senators, Live Game Blog

2009-01-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

I can't think of a better way to celebrate (eulogize) the season thus far then to hold a live blog. The coach has tried everything to get this team to win, clearly THAT hasn't worked. So we are pulling out all the stops to get behind this team and putting our perfect live blog record on the line. I'm not entirely sure this team has won since the last live blog and the boys are so uninspiring I can't even be bothered to look it up, so lets just assume they haven't. (Coincidentally the last live blog was also against these very same Thrashers, I'm not sure what that really means.) Please join me and other members of the OBC as well some special guests may come by. I also guarantee* punch and pie. (*not a real guarantee) Remember as always bring the funny, and we'll be sure to share your thoughts with everyone. Besides what else are you going to do? Just sit and watch the game? Lord knows that isn't very entertaining lately! Wednesday night hockey on TSN... Thrashers, Senators, 7:30PM, Heavy Drinking, Battle for 14th place, BE THERE... er HERE!

Hello, Old Friends: 'Canes 1, Senators 5

2009-01-14T06:48:00.003-05:00

^AP

I didn't allow myself to be giddy too long, despite the Senators going into the first with a 2-nothing lead. We've seen bigger leads dissolve in the past after all. And I had this feeling of foreboding when the 'Canes scored their goal after Antoine Vermette took a bad penalty and proceeded to blast Vermette to HG...which he immediately responded to by turning it around and actually having a pretty awesome game. Now if only the rest of the team would react in a similar fashion when I'm putting them through the ringer.

Jason Spezza also had a very good game and the rest of the team looked a lot looser. You could tell with their facial expressions and their body language that they were ready to come and play today, which is exactly what Craig Hartsburg wanted. For those of you who are still yelling for Spezza to be traded, before this game he had 3 goals and 5 assists in his last 7 games, so I don't think he's exactly the problem.

Even though the numbers were against him tonight, Cam Ward actually was very stellar for the 'Canes. The Senators out-shot their opponents 40-24 and Ward made some really great saves, including a bunch on the Senators power play. Another good sign is that the Senators' PowerPlay seems to be getting itself back together. Hartsburg shook up the PP units and it looks to be working and even though the boys didn't score on the PP tonight, they managed to put together a bunch of great chances and in fact 2 of tonight's goals came right when the PP was ending.

Mike Fisher scored a goal to celebrate his 500th game and Brian Elliott had a very well-deserved win. He's a very calm, positionally sound goalie who doesn't let out a bunch of bad rebounds. He was also named as a starter to this year's AHL All-Star Game and the way things are going, he might not be able to make it.

I've sort of missed Paul Maurice's temper tantrums. And to the fans booing Joe Corvo; don't do that. He was traded and you're only booing him because he's been owning us since. It makes you look petty!

While I'm ecstatic with the win, the Canes didn't exactly put up much of a challenge tonight and I can't even remember the last time we put together a winning streak so the verdict on this team will have to wait until the end of the week. Bryan Murray has more or less said that he's using these two games as a timeline for this team before any big decisions are made.

I'll say it now: this team isn't perfect but I'm not ready to pull the chute on Hartsburg yet. I don't think trading Spezza is the answer and I don't want to jeopardize this team's future by shipping out our young guys. Basically, what I'm trying to say is: I'm glad I'm not Bryan Murray.

Miscellaneous Thoughts: From the Alcohol-Fueled Brain of CB

2009-01-13T20:42:00.003-05:00

Random Thoughts from the First Period
- For the first time, in a long time, I am actually taking notes throughout this game. I'm a glutton for punishment, I know. I make no promises that these won't just dissolve into a serious of GLLLAARRRRGGGGHHHHHs

- Lineup brought to you by Waste Management. I won't go for the easy joke here. *cough*

- Gary Galley says that the Senators need to be playing "Backyard Hockey", and just try to go and have fun. I won't go for the easy joke in that statement either.

- Today is Mike Fisher's 500th game. Congrats, Fish. How about you score a goal to celebrate the occasion, hmm?

- It's nice to see Patrick Eaves again. Your Useless Tidbit Courtesy of Dean tonight is that he's getting married next summer. Congrats, Eaves!

- It's been 8 games since Dany Heatley scored a goal. Only 8 games? It's felt like an eternity. Jason Spezza was darn lucky Heater was there or that behind-the-back spin pass could have been a disaster.

- Is this good offensive zone pressure I'm seeing after our first goal? We didn't just sit back and let them take it to us?

- Brian Lee is playing very well and seems to be getting a lot of ice time.

- Spezza is backchecking! Spezza is backchecking!

- What looked like it should have been a simple dump-in for Daniel Alfredsson turned into a quality scoring chance! He's learned from his mistake in OT in New Jersey, methinks.

- Brian Elliott so far is positionally very strong and not giving up any rebounds. I like the looks of this.

- Antoine Vermette is a puck repellant tonight, nothing is staying on his stick when it should be.

- Nursing a 2-goal lead going into the first intermission. I am filled with a twinge of optimism.