Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Comeback Kids

Alrighty...Time for some more hockey talk! I know, I know...All of my post-Christmas Blogs have basically been about the Sens, so to those of you who aren't as Sens-Crazy as I am, I apologize. But I promise, there is a wide variety of movie, music, and TV re-caps coming your way, so stay tuned!

Now about that hockey game...

Last night, the Sens were home to the Boston Bruins, a team that has curiously owned us throughout the season despite the fact that they've been below us in the standings much of the year. I had been chalking it up to the Curse of Zdeno Chara. We all know we lost Mr. Chara through Unrestriced Free Agency to the B's in the summer, and since then, he and his new team have been laughing at us every time we've met up.

But guess what? Last night, the Big Z was on the sidelines with some sort of ailment, so the Curse of Zdeno Chara was a non-factor. It seemed the perfect time for the Sens to turn the tide against one of their greatest nemesis' this season.

I missed the first period, so I missed seeing Boston jump out to a 2-0 lead, with one of those goals coming on a penalty shot. Through the second frame, Ottawa was digging hard and getting great chances, but as usual, Boston goaltender Tim Thomas seemed to have our number. He wasn't giving up anything. I was beginning to think that Thomas had crawled into the Senators' heads and that they'd never be able to beat him, when all of a sudden...

BAM!! Along came the third period, when the Sens finally exploded with five unanswered goals.

Mike Comrie kicked it off with his first in a Sens uniform, and Dany Heatley quickly followed suit, scoring his 26th of the season. With things all tied up and momentum on our side, the go-ahead goal came off the stick of Captain Daniel Alfredsson, who was in the right place after a tremendous second effort by Dany Heatley, who managed to sweep the puck to him in the front of the net even while being tackled to the ice by a Boston defender. Patrick Eaves then went 5-hole with the insurance marker on a suddenly-mortal Tim Thomas to make it 4-2, and in the final minute, Peter Schaeffer got the empty-netter to complete the third-period comeback and seal the victory in favour of Ottawa.

Somewhere, Zdeno Chara had to be hanging his head.

It was great to see the Sens storm back and take it to Boston in the third. It just showed their resiliency and the "never-say-die" attitude they've adopted in the wake of injuries to Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, and Antoine Vermette. They've really been taking a blue-collar approach to their games, simplifying their plays and capitalizing on their opportunities. There are very few fancy dipsy-doodles without Spezza in the line-up, but there are also a lot less turn-overs and give-aways. I heard them discussing it on the Team this morning (www.team1200.com) and how the Senators have to convince Spetz to comply with this new game plan and new team mentality of less flash and more grit when he returns. Could be interesting, seeing he's the guy who is always telling reporters when asked about being a defensive liability: "That's the kind of player I am, I'm a creative player, and there are going to be turn-overs when I'm trying to make creative plays sometimes. I'm not going to change."

It might be time for him to re-think that attitude, because while he has been on the sidelines, this team has changed, and they've been successful in his absence. They have to keep doing what has consistently been working for them, and if Jason Spezza is going to mess up that recipe, then he becomes more of a hindrance than a help.

Time will tell, but for now, we still have a few more weeks as the Spezza-less Senators, and if they keep rolling like this, he'll have no choice but to conform!

GO SENS GO!!

21 comments:

priscilla said...

Just want to say I had a very hard time signing in, it said I didn't have the right password so then I set up another account and still, not working. But here I am finally and I will type my comment yet again. Thanks for the birthday wish, 24 sucks. None of my goals for this age have been accomplished. I had a nice long break over the holidays. I am always glad to hear when the Sens win a game.

Stacy said...

Jill, if i were a big hockey fan, i would have to say that your blogs are extremely well - you could almost be a commemorator or whatever they're called (the people who give the play by plays) - anyways....
How is everyone's day going - 2 more days for me!! The Equity is updated for those who read it online and the Babies of 2006 are in there...ya know what sucks, I have my baby in January and I have to wait a whole year to put her in and she's like one already, so when the time comes, do i put a baby picture or a more recent one of her...hhmm have to think of that - she will make the normal equity in the Birth section though when she does decide to come out!!
Anyways, i'll check in later!

Kenny said...

Well Jill I have to agree that the Sens have changed there game, however I don't agree that the Spezza has to change his game. He has been successful in the way he plays and I think that if reunited with Heatley and Alfie that line can go back to playing how they know how to and let the other 3 lines work it out.

I feel without Spetz in the line up the scoring will fall off sooner than later.

Rachel said...

Man, I wish I could watch these games, we will definitely have to get a dish soon!! Until then, I will keep reading your re-caps. I have to agree about Spezza though. He sometimes aggravates me with his fancy plays, but have to admit he's good.

Has anyone ever watched the show House? I just started watching it and I am starting to get into it. I am not sure if they are repeats or not. Anyway, its interesting if you want to take a look sometime.

Stacy said...

I never watched House but my brother says that the show 24 is really good - may think about watching that sometime!!

Anonymous said...

Well Jill,

I must say, yet another fabulous hockey recap. I remembered they were playing at 7:00 and then Degrassi was on and I totally forgot! I am glad they finally beat Boston!

I continued sewing last night, I have one more border to do the appliqué circles on and then I can put the quilt together! I am excited to finish it!

I am glad that the cold weather has finally come. I love the CRISP air! It's great and it fills you with new energy!

That's all people, I am going to go and check out Big K's to see if he commented on the game.

Stacy said...

What is Kenny's site??
I got the email while i was away but i just deleted everything

Rachel said...

I am not sure if 24 is much like House as I have never watched it. House is the name of a doctor and the show is about him and fellow doctors who try to disgnose and cure patients. It is interesting what they go through and do to figure out what is wrong. For example a patient came in with a sore leg and it ended up he had fleash eating disease.

Rachel said...

Stacy: the site is

http://bigksportsreport.blogspot.com/

Jill said...

Wow, the Blog is ON FIRE today! lol...Went off-line for an hour, came back, and everyone's been here! HI Guys!

PK: Don't tell me 24 sucks...I'm already dreading it...

Just looked at the Babes of '06, there are some cuties!

Thanks to all who shared their opinions on Spezza. It's a real dilemma for me. I really want to like the guy, but his dipsy-doodles drive me nuts. I'm hoping that he'll see how well the team has played without him and try to refine his defensive game a bit.

As for TV shows - I don't watch House or 24, but my dad does, and I don't think they're my kind of shows, but to each his own! I'm primed for FNL tonight, and K, I found out that Grey's is definitely a new episode this week, so look forward to those re-caps.

Rachel, do you watch Grey's?? If you like doctor shows, you might like it - it's fun and light, but it also gets serious at times too.

Anyways, glad to see everyone out & about on the Blog today...Enjoy the chilly weather! I can't wait to put on my toque and go for a walk at lunch!!!!

Rachel said...

I have been wanting to get into Grey's but haven't been able to sit myself down and watch it. Is it on tonight or tomorrow?

Jill said...

Tomorrow night. I think it's at 8 on CTV. I have both Season 1 & 2 on DVD if you ever want to see them.

Rachel said...

Well Jill, I just finished reading all of your Grey's Anatomy recaps so I think I got some sort of idea whats going on, and I am all set for it tomorrow. Im actually kind of excited, I wish it were on tonight!

Jill said...

LOL...I'm SO HAPPY you read my Grey's Anatomy re-caps, Rachel!! Aside from Kenny, I don't think anyone else on here watches Grey's and they all skip over those Blogs. But the reason I keep writing them is to hopefully interest people enough to watch the show, because in my opinion, it is THE BEST SHOW ON TV. So glad you enjoyed them and that they've got you excited about watching the show!! I'm sure you're going to love it!! It's just McAwesome!!

Rachel said...

Jill, I think you've converted me. I am already interested and I haven't even watched one episode of it. Just reading your blogs and their website has gotten me excited! lol, It would be nice to see something good on tv!

Jill said...

Well, I really hope you like it! If nothing else, I guarantee that you'll find the men hot enough to keep you watching every week! hahaha...

priscilla said...

I don't understand how you guys can have time to watch these shows at night. I guess it's good that we don't have a dish then. I find when I get home I don't even feel like watching tv, we just watch our soap that we taped during the day and that's about it. After supper is made and eaten and the dishes are done, it's time for bed at my house. But I have watched House a couple of times. It's pretty good. House is so rude, but he always figures out what's wrong in the end. It is a different kind of show.

Rachel said...

Don't worry Priscilla, I definitely know how you feel. I don't get home until 5:30, by the time we have supper ready its usually not until 6:30/7, then I have to wash the dishes, shower, etc. I usually get to set down by 8, and thats when I can watch a few shows before going to be by 9/9:30. Trust me, I know how you feel! Then there's always laundry, if you want to work out, etc, etc!!

Jill said...

I'm one of the lucky ones - I'm on my winter hours now, so I'm home at 4, we eat at 5, and I still have time to go for a walk or go to Curves, watch my shows if there are any on, or a hockey game, sometimes get the Blog done, and if I'm not in bed until 11:00 PM it's not a biggie, because I don't have to get up until 7 AM. Because I only work 5 minutes from home, there's no commute, and now I have Mondays and Fridays off for a few months, so I'm literally laughing. But as for watching "all those shows" - I've seriously cut down since my high school/college days. Grey's, FNL, and One Tree Hill are my only real regulars, with Suvivor, Idol, and Amazing Race rounding it out when they're on. Mondays & Tuesdays I have no shows, so then I have the opportunity to watch my Friends DVDs or other movies. I'm definitely one of the lucky ones - lots of free time at night!!

Rachel said...

Ya, it kind of sucks getting up at 5 in the morning. Geesh, by the time you get up Jill, I'm almost at work!! lol

If you don't have anything to watch on Monday nights, check out The Class. I don't know if you would like it, I just got into it because there was nothing else on. I find it a bit like Friends, but nothing can come close to Friends!

Ya, I really only have that show and House on Wednesdays. Thats about all the tv I watch during the week.

Jill said...

There seriously is no other show out there like Friends that I've ever seen. I watch my DVDs and it just baffles me how they came up with that stuff, and no other show can even compare. Not even close!!