OK, so my Sens lost Game #1 of the Stanley Cup Finals Monday night. You probably think that I went into depression; that I puked and screamed and tore my hair out.
Not so. After all, it was only Game #1. But even more than that, there's this pleasant calmness that has settled over me. It's like no matter what happens now, I'm satisfied. Of course, winning the Cup would be amazing, but even if they don't, I feel like we've accomplished everything this team set out to do this year - they've shaken the label of "choking dogs", they've played out of their reputation of being playoff underachievers, they've transformed into true champions. They've done something that only two teams out of thirty get to do every year, and that's play for a shot at Lord Stanley's Cup.
Now, putting all of that aside, there's nothing more that I would love than to beat those nasty Ducks tonight!! I felt the Sens played probably their worst game of the playoffs on Monday night (why?? I have no idea...) - And they still only lost 3-2! I can't imagine the Ducks playing much better than they did on Monday night, so I'd say if we correct the mistakes we made on Monday and play a little more rough'n'tough, we should be OK.
One thing's for sure. I think I developed the quickest hate that I ever have for a team on Monday night. I knew very little about that team from Anaheim before these Cup finals started, but I can already tell you that I despise Chris Pronger, the Niedermeyers, Getzlaff...They all leave a yucky taste in my mouth.
So tonight, we'll go Duck huntin' again...And hopefully, this time, we'll have something to show for it.
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Elgin is the Inspiration
Amidst all the hype of the Ottawa Senators making it to the Stanley Cup Finals, there has been one story that has gripped peoples’ hearts and brought tears to everyone’s eyes.
It’s the story of one of the Sens’ biggest fans: Little Elgin-Alexander Fraser.
Like thousands of people, I first was introduced to three-year-old Elgin a few months ago when the Ottawa Citizen featured a story on his participation at a Senators practice. The front-page photo was of an adorable, chubby-cheeked little boy grasped tightly in the arms of one of his heroes, Mike Fisher. Both Elgin and Mike seemed to have a twinkle in their eyes, and huge smiles on their faces.
Getting to practice with Fisher and the Sens was a dream come true for Elgin, who suffered from neuroblastoma, a rare terminal cancer that he was diagnosed with at the tender age of nine months. Elgin was in remission until this past January, when the cancer returned, and his family was told his time was limited.
That was when friends of Elgin’s family who had ties to Sens defenceman Chris Phillips and his wife Erin introduced them, and Elgin was immediately welcomed into the Senators family.
Last Wednesday night, Elgin attended Game 4 at Scotiabank place with his parents and baby sister, even though he was very weak and growing increasingly sick. On Thursday, Mike Fisher visited him at his home in Carleton Place, where they played cars and watched a movie. On Friday, doctors told Elgin’s parents one of his lungs had collapsed and he likely wouldn’t make it through the weekend.
On Saturday, with the Sens on the road in Buffalo and trying to close out the series, Elgin was at home with his family and friends watching the game. According to the story the Citizen ran this week, once Elgin grew too weary to keep his eyes open, his parents whispered the play-by-play in his ears. Several hours after the Sens defeated Buffalo to advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history, Elgin-Alexander Fraser closed his eyes one last time and peacefully left this Earth.
His parents believe that Elgin fought to stay alive until he was sure that his heroes were going to play for the Cup.
Today, while the City of Ottawa was hosting a pep rally for the Senators at City Hall, both Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips were in Carleton Place acting as pallbearers at little Elgin’s funeral.
Fisher, Phillips, and the rest of the Senators organization have had Elgin’s family in their hearts since the little boy passed away, and one has to think that if they needed any more inspiration to win the Cup, this would be it. Knowing that Elgin will be watching and cheering from above has to give them an even greater desire to win it for him.
I know that I’ll be thinking of Elgin on Monday night when the Sens take the ice for the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Anaheim Ducks. I’m sure they will be too, and so will many of the fans who have heard Elgin’s story and prayed for him and his family since the Citizen first ran that story several months back.
I’m sure they’ll do him proud.
GO SENS GO!!
It’s the story of one of the Sens’ biggest fans: Little Elgin-Alexander Fraser.
Like thousands of people, I first was introduced to three-year-old Elgin a few months ago when the Ottawa Citizen featured a story on his participation at a Senators practice. The front-page photo was of an adorable, chubby-cheeked little boy grasped tightly in the arms of one of his heroes, Mike Fisher. Both Elgin and Mike seemed to have a twinkle in their eyes, and huge smiles on their faces.
Getting to practice with Fisher and the Sens was a dream come true for Elgin, who suffered from neuroblastoma, a rare terminal cancer that he was diagnosed with at the tender age of nine months. Elgin was in remission until this past January, when the cancer returned, and his family was told his time was limited.
That was when friends of Elgin’s family who had ties to Sens defenceman Chris Phillips and his wife Erin introduced them, and Elgin was immediately welcomed into the Senators family.
Last Wednesday night, Elgin attended Game 4 at Scotiabank place with his parents and baby sister, even though he was very weak and growing increasingly sick. On Thursday, Mike Fisher visited him at his home in Carleton Place, where they played cars and watched a movie. On Friday, doctors told Elgin’s parents one of his lungs had collapsed and he likely wouldn’t make it through the weekend.
On Saturday, with the Sens on the road in Buffalo and trying to close out the series, Elgin was at home with his family and friends watching the game. According to the story the Citizen ran this week, once Elgin grew too weary to keep his eyes open, his parents whispered the play-by-play in his ears. Several hours after the Sens defeated Buffalo to advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history, Elgin-Alexander Fraser closed his eyes one last time and peacefully left this Earth.
His parents believe that Elgin fought to stay alive until he was sure that his heroes were going to play for the Cup.
Today, while the City of Ottawa was hosting a pep rally for the Senators at City Hall, both Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips were in Carleton Place acting as pallbearers at little Elgin’s funeral.
Fisher, Phillips, and the rest of the Senators organization have had Elgin’s family in their hearts since the little boy passed away, and one has to think that if they needed any more inspiration to win the Cup, this would be it. Knowing that Elgin will be watching and cheering from above has to give them an even greater desire to win it for him.
I know that I’ll be thinking of Elgin on Monday night when the Sens take the ice for the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Anaheim Ducks. I’m sure they will be too, and so will many of the fans who have heard Elgin’s story and prayed for him and his family since the Citizen first ran that story several months back.
I’m sure they’ll do him proud.
GO SENS GO!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Dance
I'm not sure I can effectively describe how I felt on Saturday, watching that hockey game. I was an absolute train-wreck for most of it. Words can't describe the ups and downs I went through over the course of 3 hours. One minute pissed off, one minute hopeful, one minute in tears of anguish, one minute being completely convinced that I might be the first 23-year-old to suffer a heart attack while watching a hockey game.
Since then, I've heard stories of people who had to leave their TV screens going into OT, because they were just as nervous as I was. They couldn't stand to watch.
For the record, I'm glad I hung in there. When Alfie finally scored the winner at 9:32 of Overtime...Well, I have no idea how to explain that feeling other that absolute EUPHORIA. I jumped. I screamed. I felt tears in my eyes, and I couldn't stop shaking. It was unbelievable. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it for the world, even though there were several times during the game that I almost locked myself in the bathroom and refused to watch.
I haven't gotten married, and I don't have children, so I can honestly say that moment was probably one of the happiest moments of my life, rivalled right up there by the night we received the phone call to tell us Caden had arrived. It was the sweetest, most poetic justice, to have Alfie scoring that goal, after it was he who took the heat last Spring when Jason Pominville went around him in OT of Game 5 vs. Buffalo in the Semis to end our season.
I've heard the stories of what it was like in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, and part of me really wishes I could have been there to hear the horns blaring, to join the fans on Elgin street to baptize Sens Mile, to even just be one of the hundreds of people on their balconies waving a Sens Flag, cheering, singing, and high-fiving my neighbours. I also would've loved to have been at the airport when the team landed, to join in that celebration and to see their smiles and absorb that elation.
However, the party in Quyon was pretty friggin' awesome, too. Moments after the CBC cut to soccer (boneheads), I hopped in my car and toured around town, meeting several other cars with horns blaring and flags flapping victoriously. I was outside when a huge truck painted in Sens colours and loaded with fans chanting "GO SENS GO" drove by, and I was able to catch it on video tape. People were on the sidewalks proudly wearing Sens colours, whooping and laughing and shouting in excitement.
Then, when we went to Gavan's for Nick & Tammy's Mixed Party, the celebration continued. Many were decked out in Red, Black & Gold, with Sens tatoos on their cheeks and perma-grins on their lips. One of the best moments for me was up on the dancefloor, when the band paused between songs, I shouted, "GO SENS GO", and within seconds, the entire bar was roaring it at the top of their lungs. It gave me goosebumps.
I've been through a lot of highs and lows with this team. I've had a lot to cheer about; a lot to cry about. It hasn't always been easy, but on Saturday, it finally felt like it was all worth it.
Now we're four games away from the Stanley Cup.
Part of me still can't believe it.
The other part of me just can't wait...It's already been such a great ride.
And now we're there. We're at the dance. It's not an opportunity that comes often, so these are the days we have to savour, embrace, and make memborable...It's been a long time coming, and the Sens deserve it. So do their fans.
And now it's time to get ready for the Stanley Cup Finals...If we win that, I might just burst...
GO SENS GO!!
Since then, I've heard stories of people who had to leave their TV screens going into OT, because they were just as nervous as I was. They couldn't stand to watch.
For the record, I'm glad I hung in there. When Alfie finally scored the winner at 9:32 of Overtime...Well, I have no idea how to explain that feeling other that absolute EUPHORIA. I jumped. I screamed. I felt tears in my eyes, and I couldn't stop shaking. It was unbelievable. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it for the world, even though there were several times during the game that I almost locked myself in the bathroom and refused to watch.
I haven't gotten married, and I don't have children, so I can honestly say that moment was probably one of the happiest moments of my life, rivalled right up there by the night we received the phone call to tell us Caden had arrived. It was the sweetest, most poetic justice, to have Alfie scoring that goal, after it was he who took the heat last Spring when Jason Pominville went around him in OT of Game 5 vs. Buffalo in the Semis to end our season.
I've heard the stories of what it was like in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, and part of me really wishes I could have been there to hear the horns blaring, to join the fans on Elgin street to baptize Sens Mile, to even just be one of the hundreds of people on their balconies waving a Sens Flag, cheering, singing, and high-fiving my neighbours. I also would've loved to have been at the airport when the team landed, to join in that celebration and to see their smiles and absorb that elation.
However, the party in Quyon was pretty friggin' awesome, too. Moments after the CBC cut to soccer (boneheads), I hopped in my car and toured around town, meeting several other cars with horns blaring and flags flapping victoriously. I was outside when a huge truck painted in Sens colours and loaded with fans chanting "GO SENS GO" drove by, and I was able to catch it on video tape. People were on the sidewalks proudly wearing Sens colours, whooping and laughing and shouting in excitement.
Then, when we went to Gavan's for Nick & Tammy's Mixed Party, the celebration continued. Many were decked out in Red, Black & Gold, with Sens tatoos on their cheeks and perma-grins on their lips. One of the best moments for me was up on the dancefloor, when the band paused between songs, I shouted, "GO SENS GO", and within seconds, the entire bar was roaring it at the top of their lungs. It gave me goosebumps.
I've been through a lot of highs and lows with this team. I've had a lot to cheer about; a lot to cry about. It hasn't always been easy, but on Saturday, it finally felt like it was all worth it.
Now we're four games away from the Stanley Cup.
Part of me still can't believe it.
The other part of me just can't wait...It's already been such a great ride.
And now we're there. We're at the dance. It's not an opportunity that comes often, so these are the days we have to savour, embrace, and make memborable...It's been a long time coming, and the Sens deserve it. So do their fans.
And now it's time to get ready for the Stanley Cup Finals...If we win that, I might just burst...
GO SENS GO!!
Friday, May 18, 2007
GO SENS GO!!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, have a good weekend everyone!
Oh...And GO SENS GO!! :)
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO! GO SENS GO!
Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, have a good weekend everyone!
Oh...And GO SENS GO!! :)
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ah, Who Wanted a Damned Sweep Anyways??
OK, I'm a little depressed this morning.
Visions of the Stanley Cup Final were dancing in my head, right up until Andrej Meszaros bitched up a couple of seconds into the game and Derek "The Diver" Roy popped one in past Ray Emery. Then all my bad feelings started churning again, and before I knew it, it was 3-0 Buffalo.
I shoulda known that 3-0 series was too good to be true.
The good news is that the Sens fought back, scored two quick goals late in the second, and carried the play in the third, although they were unable to beat Miller again for that crucial tying goal.
The bad news is that the Alfie line didn't score, and while it's necessary for the likes of McAmmond and Schaefer to step up (thanks, boys) - we still need our big guns firing, too.
I don't know what to think this morning. One second, I'm like, "Dude, we're still up 3-1, we got this thing in the bag!!", and the next, I'm all, "Oh shit, we lose the next one and they'll be calling us choking dogs again, and we never do well in afternoon games, and I knew I shouldn't have been all cocky yesterday......AGHHHHHH!!!"
So yeah, I'm kinda psycho today.
Never thought I'd be up 3-1 in the Conference Finals and be all psycho.
They gotta win on Saturday, or I'm going to suicide myself. I just can't take the pressure.
GO SENS GO!!
Visions of the Stanley Cup Final were dancing in my head, right up until Andrej Meszaros bitched up a couple of seconds into the game and Derek "The Diver" Roy popped one in past Ray Emery. Then all my bad feelings started churning again, and before I knew it, it was 3-0 Buffalo.
I shoulda known that 3-0 series was too good to be true.
The good news is that the Sens fought back, scored two quick goals late in the second, and carried the play in the third, although they were unable to beat Miller again for that crucial tying goal.
The bad news is that the Alfie line didn't score, and while it's necessary for the likes of McAmmond and Schaefer to step up (thanks, boys) - we still need our big guns firing, too.
I don't know what to think this morning. One second, I'm like, "Dude, we're still up 3-1, we got this thing in the bag!!", and the next, I'm all, "Oh shit, we lose the next one and they'll be calling us choking dogs again, and we never do well in afternoon games, and I knew I shouldn't have been all cocky yesterday......AGHHHHHH!!!"
So yeah, I'm kinda psycho today.
Never thought I'd be up 3-1 in the Conference Finals and be all psycho.
They gotta win on Saturday, or I'm going to suicide myself. I just can't take the pressure.
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Longest Day
Today seriously is going to be the longest day ever. It's 8:45 AM, and I'm already twisted up in knots of anticipation over tonight's game. Most fans are probably feeling care-free, excited about the chance to sweep the Buffalo Sabres tonight in our Eastern Conference Final.
For some reason, I'm envisioning complete disaster. I have no idea why. This 2007 Playoff Edition of the Ottawa Senators has been nothing short of spectacular, giving me no reason to believe they won't come out all guns a-blazin' tonight and do their absolute, utmost best to bring this series to a close on home ice at Scotiabank Place.
Right now, I'm just trying to breathe and relax. This should be a fun day. I should be happy as hell. I should be looking forward to tonight's game like no other. I should be jumping with joy, and oozing with confidence.
So that's my goal for today...the longest day.
I'm going to get Sens Fever - in a good way.
GO SENS GO!!
For some reason, I'm envisioning complete disaster. I have no idea why. This 2007 Playoff Edition of the Ottawa Senators has been nothing short of spectacular, giving me no reason to believe they won't come out all guns a-blazin' tonight and do their absolute, utmost best to bring this series to a close on home ice at Scotiabank Place.
Right now, I'm just trying to breathe and relax. This should be a fun day. I should be happy as hell. I should be looking forward to tonight's game like no other. I should be jumping with joy, and oozing with confidence.
So that's my goal for today...the longest day.
I'm going to get Sens Fever - in a good way.
GO SENS GO!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
1 More Win...
The Sens won last night.
Again.
I can hardly believe it.
I have the utmost faith in my team, but if anyone had told me last week that we would be leading this series against the President's Trophy winners by a count of 3-0, on the verge of a sweep... well, I would have laughed my ass off.
Of course, I've always believed the Senators could take the Sabres in the Eastern Conference Finals, but I never imagined we'd have the stranglehold only 3 games in. And for some reason, I'm still nervous as hell. What if we lose the next game? Then Buffalo will have some momentum back...Then we have to go back into Buffalo, and if they win again...yikes...
Now, if the Sens play as well as they did last night, then I don't think I have much to worry about. They were so sound defensively, it was unbelievable. Buffalo hardly had any decent chances. The Sabres looked like a beaten team last night; they didn't seem to have much left in the tank, with the exception of Ryan Miller, who was the only reason the score wasn't bigger than 1-0. The Sens dominated all over the ice, holding the Sabres to only 15 shots all game, and there were only a few flurries (including one in the dying seconds) that caused my heart to race.
I'm so proud of this team. They're playing like the team people have always wanted them to be. They're ruthless, they're energetic, they're powerful, they're confident...
Dear God, please let them win tomorrow night...'Cause they deserve this opportunity.
GO SENS GO!!
Again.
I can hardly believe it.
I have the utmost faith in my team, but if anyone had told me last week that we would be leading this series against the President's Trophy winners by a count of 3-0, on the verge of a sweep... well, I would have laughed my ass off.
Of course, I've always believed the Senators could take the Sabres in the Eastern Conference Finals, but I never imagined we'd have the stranglehold only 3 games in. And for some reason, I'm still nervous as hell. What if we lose the next game? Then Buffalo will have some momentum back...Then we have to go back into Buffalo, and if they win again...yikes...
Now, if the Sens play as well as they did last night, then I don't think I have much to worry about. They were so sound defensively, it was unbelievable. Buffalo hardly had any decent chances. The Sabres looked like a beaten team last night; they didn't seem to have much left in the tank, with the exception of Ryan Miller, who was the only reason the score wasn't bigger than 1-0. The Sens dominated all over the ice, holding the Sabres to only 15 shots all game, and there were only a few flurries (including one in the dying seconds) that caused my heart to race.
I'm so proud of this team. They're playing like the team people have always wanted them to be. They're ruthless, they're energetic, they're powerful, they're confident...
Dear God, please let them win tomorrow night...'Cause they deserve this opportunity.
GO SENS GO!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Now THAT Was a Great Weekend!
What a weekend!
The Blog would like to wish Sara a Happy Birthday - hope you had a good time Saturday, even though someone broke your camera. (And that someone is still very sorry...)
Mere minutes after Sara left my basement, Joe Corvo scored in Double-OT to allow the Sens to take their first-ever 2-0 lead in a playoff series. You have no idea how excited I was. I think I almost fainted. It was an awesome feeling, especially after the Sabres tied it with 5 seconds to go in the third, causing me to almost puke. Then I started getting bad vibes, so the winning goal restored my confidence and made the victory that much sweeter.
It's a big game tonight, and I sure don't want them to let the Sabres up off the mat. Time to kick 'em when their down...GO SENS GO!!
Also, spent Mother's Day at the ball field, watching the Quyon Flyers take the West Carleton team 4-0 in their home opener. Congrats to the Flyers, and it was so great to have ball at the Quyon diamond again!
Have a great week, everyone!!
The Blog would like to wish Sara a Happy Birthday - hope you had a good time Saturday, even though someone broke your camera. (And that someone is still very sorry...)
Mere minutes after Sara left my basement, Joe Corvo scored in Double-OT to allow the Sens to take their first-ever 2-0 lead in a playoff series. You have no idea how excited I was. I think I almost fainted. It was an awesome feeling, especially after the Sabres tied it with 5 seconds to go in the third, causing me to almost puke. Then I started getting bad vibes, so the winning goal restored my confidence and made the victory that much sweeter.
It's a big game tonight, and I sure don't want them to let the Sabres up off the mat. Time to kick 'em when their down...GO SENS GO!!
Also, spent Mother's Day at the ball field, watching the Quyon Flyers take the West Carleton team 4-0 in their home opener. Congrats to the Flyers, and it was so great to have ball at the Quyon diamond again!
Have a great week, everyone!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Game #1 Goes to the Sens
Happy Friday to one & all, and a happy Friday it is indeed!! After all, my Sens came up with a big road win in Buffalo last night to open up the Eastern Conference final to steal home ice advantage, and it was great too see the Sens get some secondary scoring beyond the Alfie-Heatley-Spezza line! They chipped in too, of course, with Alfie zinging one by Ryan Miller on the power play and Spezza squeezed one by in the third. But it was Mike Fisher's shorty to open the scoring that really got things rolling, and Oleg Saprykin got the game-winner after Buffalo came back to tie it up, tipping the puck in after Dean McAmmond passed it to him out front.
Must say, I'm lovin' the fourth line. McAmmond is awesome, and he got the empty-netter last night after showing a burst of speed at the last second. The Sens really need those guys who hang in the shadows of the Big 3 to step it up this series, and last night they answered the call.
I was also impressed with how the Sens maintained their composure last night, even after Buffalo erased their 2-goal lead and had them back on their heels a bit in the second period. They didn't scramble or panic - they just kept playing hard and stayed calm. Their confidence is unwavering thus far, and it's great to see.
Now, I'm not so foolish as to think that the Sabres are going to roll over and die just because we won the first game. It was a big win, but after they tied it up, it really could have gone either way. While I thought the Sens played well, I know they can play even better, and I also know that we only saw a glimpse of what the Sabres can bring. There's no way this thing is gonna get done in 4 or 5 games.
But for the Sens, it was big and important and now they only have to win 3 more to get to the Stanley Cup Finals. And with this team, anything is possible.
GO SENS GO!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Must say, I'm lovin' the fourth line. McAmmond is awesome, and he got the empty-netter last night after showing a burst of speed at the last second. The Sens really need those guys who hang in the shadows of the Big 3 to step it up this series, and last night they answered the call.
I was also impressed with how the Sens maintained their composure last night, even after Buffalo erased their 2-goal lead and had them back on their heels a bit in the second period. They didn't scramble or panic - they just kept playing hard and stayed calm. Their confidence is unwavering thus far, and it's great to see.
Now, I'm not so foolish as to think that the Sabres are going to roll over and die just because we won the first game. It was a big win, but after they tied it up, it really could have gone either way. While I thought the Sens played well, I know they can play even better, and I also know that we only saw a glimpse of what the Sabres can bring. There's no way this thing is gonna get done in 4 or 5 games.
But for the Sens, it was big and important and now they only have to win 3 more to get to the Stanley Cup Finals. And with this team, anything is possible.
GO SENS GO!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Treading Water
Ever have one of those days where you kinda feel like you're in over your head?
Like you're drowning... And nobody out there wants to save you.
That's the kind of day I had. I think it's fair to say that I just had my busiest day at work of 2007. And that kinda scares me, because it's only the second week of May. Usually the "busy time" at MVT is in June. So, like, in other words, "Buckle up, Jill". Geez. The phone was ringing like crazy, everyone seemed to be getting on everyone else's nerves...It just wasn't a very good day. And nothing even went catastrophically wrong, it just felt like there was soooo much to do, and not enough time to do it.
Then, on the two-minute lunch break I took (I didn't even go for my walk), I flipped through my agenda and realized things aren't about to let up. I officially nominate May as the busiest month of the year. (So far.) There are mixed parties and showers and Mother's Day and ball games and brunches and golf tournaments and ducks racing down the Quyon River...All coming up in the next three weeks. Oh, and one other thing that I'm not quite accustomed to this time of year (but that I really, really welcome) - SENS GAMES!!
It's crazy. I'm not joking when I say I feel like I'm drowning. I'm literally panicking, trying to figure out when all this stuff is going to get done.
But I'm willing to bet that you're all in the same boat...It's just that crazy-busy time of year.
I guess all we can do is tread water and hope we don't drown.
Oh, and on the Eve of The Eastern Conference Finals - GO SENS GO!!
Like you're drowning... And nobody out there wants to save you.
That's the kind of day I had. I think it's fair to say that I just had my busiest day at work of 2007. And that kinda scares me, because it's only the second week of May. Usually the "busy time" at MVT is in June. So, like, in other words, "Buckle up, Jill". Geez. The phone was ringing like crazy, everyone seemed to be getting on everyone else's nerves...It just wasn't a very good day. And nothing even went catastrophically wrong, it just felt like there was soooo much to do, and not enough time to do it.
Then, on the two-minute lunch break I took (I didn't even go for my walk), I flipped through my agenda and realized things aren't about to let up. I officially nominate May as the busiest month of the year. (So far.) There are mixed parties and showers and Mother's Day and ball games and brunches and golf tournaments and ducks racing down the Quyon River...All coming up in the next three weeks. Oh, and one other thing that I'm not quite accustomed to this time of year (but that I really, really welcome) - SENS GAMES!!
It's crazy. I'm not joking when I say I feel like I'm drowning. I'm literally panicking, trying to figure out when all this stuff is going to get done.
But I'm willing to bet that you're all in the same boat...It's just that crazy-busy time of year.
I guess all we can do is tread water and hope we don't drown.
Oh, and on the Eve of The Eastern Conference Finals - GO SENS GO!!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Can My Heart Make It Through Round 3 ?!?!
OK, folks, here we go...Onto Round 3!!
That's right...The Eastern Conference Final!!!
I'm pumped. I'm psyched. I'm soooooooo excited!!
I was thrilled Saturday night when the Sens finally put the dagger through the hearts of those Devils from New Jersey, beating them 3-2 and taking the series 4 games to 1. You know, looking back, realizing that the Sens have only lost two games thus far in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs through 2 rounds, you'd probably have trouble believing that I've almost suffered about a hundred heart attacks. But I have. The playoffs are very hard on my ticker. On game days, I'm just a bundle of nerves, and by the time the puck drops, I'm shaking all over.
So I'm not sure it's good for my health that the Sens have advanced to the third round, but I'm not going to complain.
However, with the Buffalo Sabres joining us in the Eastern Final, I can be sure that things aren't going to get any easier.
I'm so close to the Stanley Cup, I can taste it. I want it so badly. I can envision the celebrations; I'm already anticipating the sheer ecstacy of being the Champions.
And yet, as Coach Murray reminded after Saturday night's victory, once we laid the Devils to rest, we're still only half-way there. And the mighty Buffalo Sabres are the next big obstacle standing in our way.
I still have nightmares over last year's second-round horror-show, when those "unsinkable Senators" sunk...and sunk bad. And it was those damned Sabres that ran us into the ice berg. I still remember going into OT in Game 5, our very playoff lives hanging in the balance, when Buffalo took a penalty and my spirits soared, because I truly believed we were in the midst of battling back and making history. We were going to be one of those very few, very special teams that clawed back from a 3-0 deficit and won the whole damned thing.
Then, on that Ottawa powerplay, Jason Pominville made a break into the Sens zone with only Captain Daniel Alfredsson back defending, and he walked in around Alfie and deflated all of my dreams with one shot.
It was a heart-breaker.
So now, thinking about the Sabres and the series that awaits, my stomach is already fluttering with butterflies. It's time for revenge. Time to put that miserable series behind us and move forward into glory. It won't be easy, but this team, this year, has given me every reason to believe that they can do it. It's ours for the taking.
And it all gets going on Thursday night...
GO SENS GO!!
That's right...The Eastern Conference Final!!!
I'm pumped. I'm psyched. I'm soooooooo excited!!
I was thrilled Saturday night when the Sens finally put the dagger through the hearts of those Devils from New Jersey, beating them 3-2 and taking the series 4 games to 1. You know, looking back, realizing that the Sens have only lost two games thus far in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs through 2 rounds, you'd probably have trouble believing that I've almost suffered about a hundred heart attacks. But I have. The playoffs are very hard on my ticker. On game days, I'm just a bundle of nerves, and by the time the puck drops, I'm shaking all over.
So I'm not sure it's good for my health that the Sens have advanced to the third round, but I'm not going to complain.
However, with the Buffalo Sabres joining us in the Eastern Final, I can be sure that things aren't going to get any easier.
I'm so close to the Stanley Cup, I can taste it. I want it so badly. I can envision the celebrations; I'm already anticipating the sheer ecstacy of being the Champions.
And yet, as Coach Murray reminded after Saturday night's victory, once we laid the Devils to rest, we're still only half-way there. And the mighty Buffalo Sabres are the next big obstacle standing in our way.
I still have nightmares over last year's second-round horror-show, when those "unsinkable Senators" sunk...and sunk bad. And it was those damned Sabres that ran us into the ice berg. I still remember going into OT in Game 5, our very playoff lives hanging in the balance, when Buffalo took a penalty and my spirits soared, because I truly believed we were in the midst of battling back and making history. We were going to be one of those very few, very special teams that clawed back from a 3-0 deficit and won the whole damned thing.
Then, on that Ottawa powerplay, Jason Pominville made a break into the Sens zone with only Captain Daniel Alfredsson back defending, and he walked in around Alfie and deflated all of my dreams with one shot.
It was a heart-breaker.
So now, thinking about the Sabres and the series that awaits, my stomach is already fluttering with butterflies. It's time for revenge. Time to put that miserable series behind us and move forward into glory. It won't be easy, but this team, this year, has given me every reason to believe that they can do it. It's ours for the taking.
And it all gets going on Thursday night...
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Stranglehold
I've mentioned before the importance of that one pivotal game in a series. The one where your favourite team is ahead 2 games to 1. The one where they walk that fine line between being tied 2-2 and taking a 3-1 stranglehold.
That's the game my Sens were in tonight.
Yeah, every game is huge. Every game is pivotal. Every game is super-duper-important.
But that one game...You know what I'm talking about. It's just the most nerve-wracking, gut-wrenching, heart-stopping game everrrrr.
And tonight, yet again, the Sens WON IT!!!!
Now, we have that coveted stranglehold, up 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semis over the New Jersey Devils. It was another nail-biter, and my heart still hasn't returned to regular palpitations. It's awesome!!!
Tonight, the glorious, fantastic, miraculous Martin Brodeur (and if you don't believe me, just ask Bob Cole) - well, he kinda looked human. Alfie's goal to kick things off in the first was pretty sweet, but then Heatley's shot in the second came from an impossible angle, and it never should have went in. Somehow, though, it eluded The Golden Marty. And then Fisher's goal to make it 3-1 early in the third was shot from the blueline, and somehow just zinged in over Brodeur's glove - another save that he normally would've made.
Now, I have all the respect in the world for Martin Brodeur. He's a great goaltender, no doubt about it. And he won Canada a gold medal in the Olympics in '02, for which I will forever be grateful. But I'm sooooo sick of hearing the CBC commentators blow sunshine up his butt that I can barely stand it. You'd almost swear at times that Brodeur and the Devils are dominating the series, and that the Sens are getting by on luck alone. At least tonight, they didn't have so much to rave about.
Marty had an off-night.
Guaranteed, he'll be back "on" Saturday night. Winning this series won't be easy, but I think the Sens will come out gunnin' and get this thing done in 5, back in the Swamp, Saturday night.
But until then, I'll just enjoy The Stranglehold.
GO SENS GO!!
That's the game my Sens were in tonight.
Yeah, every game is huge. Every game is pivotal. Every game is super-duper-important.
But that one game...You know what I'm talking about. It's just the most nerve-wracking, gut-wrenching, heart-stopping game everrrrr.
And tonight, yet again, the Sens WON IT!!!!
Now, we have that coveted stranglehold, up 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semis over the New Jersey Devils. It was another nail-biter, and my heart still hasn't returned to regular palpitations. It's awesome!!!
Tonight, the glorious, fantastic, miraculous Martin Brodeur (and if you don't believe me, just ask Bob Cole) - well, he kinda looked human. Alfie's goal to kick things off in the first was pretty sweet, but then Heatley's shot in the second came from an impossible angle, and it never should have went in. Somehow, though, it eluded The Golden Marty. And then Fisher's goal to make it 3-1 early in the third was shot from the blueline, and somehow just zinged in over Brodeur's glove - another save that he normally would've made.
Now, I have all the respect in the world for Martin Brodeur. He's a great goaltender, no doubt about it. And he won Canada a gold medal in the Olympics in '02, for which I will forever be grateful. But I'm sooooo sick of hearing the CBC commentators blow sunshine up his butt that I can barely stand it. You'd almost swear at times that Brodeur and the Devils are dominating the series, and that the Sens are getting by on luck alone. At least tonight, they didn't have so much to rave about.
Marty had an off-night.
Guaranteed, he'll be back "on" Saturday night. Winning this series won't be easy, but I think the Sens will come out gunnin' and get this thing done in 5, back in the Swamp, Saturday night.
But until then, I'll just enjoy The Stranglehold.
GO SENS GO!!
I Love Seth
OK, folks, my statements are printing out, so I have time for a very, very brief Blog!!
Last night I went to see "In the Land of Women", starring Seth Cohen...er, I mean, Adam Brody, and Meg Ryan. It was a movie unlike any I had ever seen before - very funny moments (Seth is in it, how could they avoid his dry, sarcastic, but oh-so-cute humour?), very sad moments, moments that made me feel sick and scared, moments of euphoric happiness, moments of complete understanding. It told the story of a young man at a crossroads in his life who decides to go live with and care for his aging grandmother, and ends up entangled in the lives of the women across the street - a mother battling breast cancer, and her teenage daughter battling life in general.
It was a movie that left me thinking about many different things - embracing opportunities, making the best of any situation, how important laughter is, and how important it is to make sure you never get stuck in a rut that you can't get out of. I highly recommend it (for the girls, at least...the boys would probably cringe. We know you're all jealous of Seth and how charming and cute he is.)
Yeah, it had me falling in love with Seth all over again, just like the first time I watched The O.C. Why don't they make boys like him around here? And you just know he's gotta be like that in real life, because he's like that in every show or movie he's ever been in...You just can't escape his dry wit and adorable smile. So yes, he is my "boy of the moment"...I love him!!!
Alrighty...Moving along...Game #4 goes tonight, and my stomach is already in knots. Really, really hoping for a win tonight.
GO SENS GO!!
Last night I went to see "In the Land of Women", starring Seth Cohen...er, I mean, Adam Brody, and Meg Ryan. It was a movie unlike any I had ever seen before - very funny moments (Seth is in it, how could they avoid his dry, sarcastic, but oh-so-cute humour?), very sad moments, moments that made me feel sick and scared, moments of euphoric happiness, moments of complete understanding. It told the story of a young man at a crossroads in his life who decides to go live with and care for his aging grandmother, and ends up entangled in the lives of the women across the street - a mother battling breast cancer, and her teenage daughter battling life in general.
It was a movie that left me thinking about many different things - embracing opportunities, making the best of any situation, how important laughter is, and how important it is to make sure you never get stuck in a rut that you can't get out of. I highly recommend it (for the girls, at least...the boys would probably cringe. We know you're all jealous of Seth and how charming and cute he is.)
Yeah, it had me falling in love with Seth all over again, just like the first time I watched The O.C. Why don't they make boys like him around here? And you just know he's gotta be like that in real life, because he's like that in every show or movie he's ever been in...You just can't escape his dry wit and adorable smile. So yes, he is my "boy of the moment"...I love him!!!
Alrighty...Moving along...Game #4 goes tonight, and my stomach is already in knots. Really, really hoping for a win tonight.
GO SENS GO!!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sens Take Game #3!!
Hoooooooooooooooooooooo BOY!!
Now that was intense!! I'm not sure my little heart can take much more of this edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter hockey!!
I don't think I even took a normal breath until Jason Spezza put away the empty-netter to seal tonight's 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. I was absolutely terrified that, despite our strong play and two-billion chances, Martin Brodeur would once again steal a win for his team and set us back 2-1 in the series.
Perhaps Senators teams of the past would have let him. But not this team. Not this year.
The Sens never stopped coming, and they really took it to Brodeur and the Devils all night long. Every time he made a miraculous save, they didn't hang their heads and quit. They kept at him, pouring it on relentlessly.
Finally, in the third period, they were rewarded, when Tom Preissing's shot went in after Mike Fisher cruised through the crease, apparently bumping Brodeur and sparking an annoying post-game "controversy" on CBC.
I've tried to refrain from bad-mouthing the Hockey Night in Canada commentators this year, because everyone knows they suck, but honestly - how many times was Ray Emery interferred with in that first series against Pittsburgh, and they never even mentioned it?? Now tonight, Mike Fisher barely grazes Brodeur, knocking him a little off balance, and Preissing scores, so all of a sudden those Leaf-lovin' Losers are roaring about how Fisher should have been penalized, and the goal should have been called back. I hate Ron McLean. I hate Bob Cole. I hate Elliote Friedman!!
Frig them! Fisher did exactly what players are supposed to be doing this time of year: Getting in the opposing goalie's face and wreaking havoc in the crease. Poor little Marty, the CBC Golden Boy, wasn't prepared for the shot, so let's all cry foul. ARGH!!!! It pisses me off so much that I can't even enjoy my victory because I have to listen to them whine!
The fact of the matter is the Ottawa Senators deserved to win tonight's game, controversy or not. They clearly scored a goal in the first period, but because the ref blew the whistle (too quickly, in my opinion), it was called back. Brodeur was standing on his head most of the night, making spectacular saves and frustrating the hell out of me.
But the difference is, this year, the Sens are being patient. There was a time when no one believed the Sens could win close games. Usually the wheels would come off, panic would set in, and they'd lose the game.
Well, they won this one, and they deserved a better fate in the last one too. So now we hold a 2-1 series lead, with lots of hockey left to play, but I can't help but feel really good about how this team is rolling right now. Screw their controversies. Emery has been solid when necessary, the forecheck has been strong, the defence has been amazing (welcome back, Wade Redden!), and it's just this quiet confidence that the players seem to have that is making me feel different than other years.
More optimistic. More sure. More confident.
Game #4 should be a doozie!!
GO SENS GO!!
Now that was intense!! I'm not sure my little heart can take much more of this edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter hockey!!
I don't think I even took a normal breath until Jason Spezza put away the empty-netter to seal tonight's 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. I was absolutely terrified that, despite our strong play and two-billion chances, Martin Brodeur would once again steal a win for his team and set us back 2-1 in the series.
Perhaps Senators teams of the past would have let him. But not this team. Not this year.
The Sens never stopped coming, and they really took it to Brodeur and the Devils all night long. Every time he made a miraculous save, they didn't hang their heads and quit. They kept at him, pouring it on relentlessly.
Finally, in the third period, they were rewarded, when Tom Preissing's shot went in after Mike Fisher cruised through the crease, apparently bumping Brodeur and sparking an annoying post-game "controversy" on CBC.
I've tried to refrain from bad-mouthing the Hockey Night in Canada commentators this year, because everyone knows they suck, but honestly - how many times was Ray Emery interferred with in that first series against Pittsburgh, and they never even mentioned it?? Now tonight, Mike Fisher barely grazes Brodeur, knocking him a little off balance, and Preissing scores, so all of a sudden those Leaf-lovin' Losers are roaring about how Fisher should have been penalized, and the goal should have been called back. I hate Ron McLean. I hate Bob Cole. I hate Elliote Friedman!!
Frig them! Fisher did exactly what players are supposed to be doing this time of year: Getting in the opposing goalie's face and wreaking havoc in the crease. Poor little Marty, the CBC Golden Boy, wasn't prepared for the shot, so let's all cry foul. ARGH!!!! It pisses me off so much that I can't even enjoy my victory because I have to listen to them whine!
The fact of the matter is the Ottawa Senators deserved to win tonight's game, controversy or not. They clearly scored a goal in the first period, but because the ref blew the whistle (too quickly, in my opinion), it was called back. Brodeur was standing on his head most of the night, making spectacular saves and frustrating the hell out of me.
But the difference is, this year, the Sens are being patient. There was a time when no one believed the Sens could win close games. Usually the wheels would come off, panic would set in, and they'd lose the game.
Well, they won this one, and they deserved a better fate in the last one too. So now we hold a 2-1 series lead, with lots of hockey left to play, but I can't help but feel really good about how this team is rolling right now. Screw their controversies. Emery has been solid when necessary, the forecheck has been strong, the defence has been amazing (welcome back, Wade Redden!), and it's just this quiet confidence that the players seem to have that is making me feel different than other years.
More optimistic. More sure. More confident.
Game #4 should be a doozie!!
GO SENS GO!!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Bring On the Devils!!
Hey gang!! Sorry for the lack of Blogs this week - it's just been crazy-busy, and I haven't gotten into the routine of writing the Blog at night yet.
As we all know, Round 2 for the Sens goes tonight in New Jersey vs. the Devils. Can't wait!! It will surely be a tougher test than the Penguins were, but I have confidence that if the Senators stick to their game, they'll be able to defeat Marty Brodeur - just shoot the puck from all over, and eventually they'll start going in!
Remember - BE RED!! Cheer on the Sens, and be loud & proud!!
GO SENS GO!!
As we all know, Round 2 for the Sens goes tonight in New Jersey vs. the Devils. Can't wait!! It will surely be a tougher test than the Penguins were, but I have confidence that if the Senators stick to their game, they'll be able to defeat Marty Brodeur - just shoot the puck from all over, and eventually they'll start going in!
Remember - BE RED!! Cheer on the Sens, and be loud & proud!!
GO SENS GO!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
See Ya, Sid!!
WOOO-HOOO!!!
That's it, folks! We did it! We beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 tonight to take the series 4 games to 1...YABBA-DABBA-DOOEY!!
Honestly, I don't know if I've ever seen the Sens play as well as they did tonight. Pittsburgh spent much of the first 10 minutes on the powerplay, with two 5-on-3's, and Emery was solid in nets. After that, the Sens shut the door and really dominated them. It seemed the Penguins even had trouble getting into the Sens' zone for most of the game. They were so strong defensively, and I was extremely impressed!! They made most of those Penguins look like the little kids that many of them are! All of our goals came in the second period, with Heatley getting one on the power play, and Kelly and Vermette notching the others. Mike Comrie, one of the darlings of this series, also had a glorious opportunity, and I think almost everyone thought he had scored, but replays showed it ringing off the post.
I also think Wade Redden played his best game of the series, which was a huge relief to me. I've been waiting for a sign for the past two weeks to show me that Wade's OK and can play out of his funk, and tonight, I think he made a big step towards accomplishing that.
The fans at the Bank tonight were loud and proud, and it was awesome to hear the chanting and cheering coming through my TV. It's great to see everyone BE RED and waving their pom-poms enthusiastically! For us here at the Young house, one of the highlights was seeing our neighbours JP and Troy and Troy's girlfriend Steph on TV at the end of the game - they were all decked out in Sens gear and holding a sign that said "Stanley's Cup Belongs In Canada". Of course, it would have been awesome to be in the stands tonight, but because I seem to be a Senator Jinx, I've resolved not to bother with tickets again this post-season. We've been having our own little party here at home though!!
So now that we've done away with Sid the Kid and his band of little Penguins, it looks like it'll probably be the New Jersey Devils or the New York Rangers (or a slight possibility of it being the Islanders) in the second round. It was predicted tonight that the next round won't start until next Wednesday, so we've all got a few days to relax, breathe, and look forward to another round of exciting playoff hockey!!
I can't wait!!
GO SENS GO!!
That's it, folks! We did it! We beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 tonight to take the series 4 games to 1...YABBA-DABBA-DOOEY!!
Honestly, I don't know if I've ever seen the Sens play as well as they did tonight. Pittsburgh spent much of the first 10 minutes on the powerplay, with two 5-on-3's, and Emery was solid in nets. After that, the Sens shut the door and really dominated them. It seemed the Penguins even had trouble getting into the Sens' zone for most of the game. They were so strong defensively, and I was extremely impressed!! They made most of those Penguins look like the little kids that many of them are! All of our goals came in the second period, with Heatley getting one on the power play, and Kelly and Vermette notching the others. Mike Comrie, one of the darlings of this series, also had a glorious opportunity, and I think almost everyone thought he had scored, but replays showed it ringing off the post.
I also think Wade Redden played his best game of the series, which was a huge relief to me. I've been waiting for a sign for the past two weeks to show me that Wade's OK and can play out of his funk, and tonight, I think he made a big step towards accomplishing that.
The fans at the Bank tonight were loud and proud, and it was awesome to hear the chanting and cheering coming through my TV. It's great to see everyone BE RED and waving their pom-poms enthusiastically! For us here at the Young house, one of the highlights was seeing our neighbours JP and Troy and Troy's girlfriend Steph on TV at the end of the game - they were all decked out in Sens gear and holding a sign that said "Stanley's Cup Belongs In Canada". Of course, it would have been awesome to be in the stands tonight, but because I seem to be a Senator Jinx, I've resolved not to bother with tickets again this post-season. We've been having our own little party here at home though!!
So now that we've done away with Sid the Kid and his band of little Penguins, it looks like it'll probably be the New Jersey Devils or the New York Rangers (or a slight possibility of it being the Islanders) in the second round. It was predicted tonight that the next round won't start until next Wednesday, so we've all got a few days to relax, breathe, and look forward to another round of exciting playoff hockey!!
I can't wait!!
GO SENS GO!!
It Feels Like Tonight
OK, so I stole the title from a Chris Daughtry song, but it fit so well with how I feel about tonight's upcoming Game #5 between Ottawa and Pittsburgh that I just had to use it to title today's Blog.
It feels like tonight...
This is a big one for the Sens. Up 3-1 in the series, we need to put the pedal down and get things done tonight. Nobody on that Ottawa team wants to go back to Pittsburgh for a Game #6. Nobody wants to give the Penguins a breath of life when we've got a chokehold on them. Pittsburgh will come out all guns a-blazing, guaranteed, but the Sens have to be better.
It's time to show that killer instinct again, and get things done. Ray Emery has to be awesome. Our big stars need to fly. Our defence needs to snuff out Sid the Kid and his troops.
I have no doubts that they can do it. We've got 'em down, now it's time to put the boots to 'em.
It feels like tonight.
GO SENS GO!!
It feels like tonight...
This is a big one for the Sens. Up 3-1 in the series, we need to put the pedal down and get things done tonight. Nobody on that Ottawa team wants to go back to Pittsburgh for a Game #6. Nobody wants to give the Penguins a breath of life when we've got a chokehold on them. Pittsburgh will come out all guns a-blazing, guaranteed, but the Sens have to be better.
It's time to show that killer instinct again, and get things done. Ray Emery has to be awesome. Our big stars need to fly. Our defence needs to snuff out Sid the Kid and his troops.
I have no doubts that they can do it. We've got 'em down, now it's time to put the boots to 'em.
It feels like tonight.
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Razor's Edge
In the playoffs, it's hard to find a game that is not referred to as a "must-win". Whether you're the team ahead or the team trailing, almost every game is a "must-win".
Last night, with the Senators leading the quarterfinal series 2-1, many of the Sens' spectators were calling it a "must-win". Then again, so were the Pittsburgh fans. With the Sens leading the series 2-1, it was imperative for them to come away with a victory to put a stranglehold on the series and show the killer instinct. On the flip side, the Penguins needed the win to stay in the series and keep their hopes alive.
For the team with the 2-1 advantage, this game is extremely important. There's a very fine line between taking a commanding 3-1 lead, and being tied 2-2. Had the Sens lost last night's game, momentum would have swung in Pittsburgh's favour, the slate would've been wiped clean, and it would've come down to a best-of-3.
In the past, under that kind of pressure, the Sens might've collapsed. But not last night.
Last night, with Pittsburgh giving it all they had, running our guys all over the ice and driving to the net every chance they got, it was the Senators who came out victorious. All thanks to the man between the pipes, Mr. Ray Emery!!
Ray was hot last night, that's for sure. The Sens took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Jason Spezza blooper that just happened to tip of Jordan Staal's stick and then floated into the net. (Thank you, Chris Neil, for not touching that puck with your high stick, despite your best efforts.) The rest of the first was back-and-forth action, with nobody seeming to "click" out there. There were a lot of battles along the sideboards, and a lot of missed passes, with both goalies making big saves when necessary.
In the second, I thought the Penguins really took it to the Sens, and with either Chris Phillips or Anton Volchenkov spending much of the period in the box, the Sens were put back a little on their heels. The penalty-killing, however, was strong, and the Sens did not allow the Pens to capitalize on the power play. Staal did manage to squeak one through after a scramble in front of Emery even strength, so that technically gave him 2 goals on the night. But going in to the third, it was dead-locked at 1 apiece.
So the third period was what I like to call "gut-check time". And let me tell ya, it was hard on my ticker. When Anton Volchenkov finally broke the tie midway through the period, it was a minor relief, but all I could think of was how difficult it was going to be to hold that lead for the rest of the period. I was certain the Penguins would find a way to tie things up and send it to OT.
I didn't have to worry. The Sens went to work defensively and Emery shut the door. It's what my dad called "perfect playoff hockey". In the past, the Sens have been criticized for not being able to do what they did last night - sit on a one-goal lead and win a tight game. Last night, they did it.
I could be a lot crankier today. If the Penguins had won their "must-win game", it would be a different story.
But that wasn't the case. Last night, we won the "must-win". And that's thanks in large part to the Razor's edge.
GO SENS GO!!
(Guys, I didn't proofread this at all so if there's a million mistakes and it makes no sense, I apologize!)
Last night, with the Senators leading the quarterfinal series 2-1, many of the Sens' spectators were calling it a "must-win". Then again, so were the Pittsburgh fans. With the Sens leading the series 2-1, it was imperative for them to come away with a victory to put a stranglehold on the series and show the killer instinct. On the flip side, the Penguins needed the win to stay in the series and keep their hopes alive.
For the team with the 2-1 advantage, this game is extremely important. There's a very fine line between taking a commanding 3-1 lead, and being tied 2-2. Had the Sens lost last night's game, momentum would have swung in Pittsburgh's favour, the slate would've been wiped clean, and it would've come down to a best-of-3.
In the past, under that kind of pressure, the Sens might've collapsed. But not last night.
Last night, with Pittsburgh giving it all they had, running our guys all over the ice and driving to the net every chance they got, it was the Senators who came out victorious. All thanks to the man between the pipes, Mr. Ray Emery!!
Ray was hot last night, that's for sure. The Sens took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Jason Spezza blooper that just happened to tip of Jordan Staal's stick and then floated into the net. (Thank you, Chris Neil, for not touching that puck with your high stick, despite your best efforts.) The rest of the first was back-and-forth action, with nobody seeming to "click" out there. There were a lot of battles along the sideboards, and a lot of missed passes, with both goalies making big saves when necessary.
In the second, I thought the Penguins really took it to the Sens, and with either Chris Phillips or Anton Volchenkov spending much of the period in the box, the Sens were put back a little on their heels. The penalty-killing, however, was strong, and the Sens did not allow the Pens to capitalize on the power play. Staal did manage to squeak one through after a scramble in front of Emery even strength, so that technically gave him 2 goals on the night. But going in to the third, it was dead-locked at 1 apiece.
So the third period was what I like to call "gut-check time". And let me tell ya, it was hard on my ticker. When Anton Volchenkov finally broke the tie midway through the period, it was a minor relief, but all I could think of was how difficult it was going to be to hold that lead for the rest of the period. I was certain the Penguins would find a way to tie things up and send it to OT.
I didn't have to worry. The Sens went to work defensively and Emery shut the door. It's what my dad called "perfect playoff hockey". In the past, the Sens have been criticized for not being able to do what they did last night - sit on a one-goal lead and win a tight game. Last night, they did it.
I could be a lot crankier today. If the Penguins had won their "must-win game", it would be a different story.
But that wasn't the case. Last night, we won the "must-win". And that's thanks in large part to the Razor's edge.
GO SENS GO!!
(Guys, I didn't proofread this at all so if there's a million mistakes and it makes no sense, I apologize!)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
It Can Make You Scared
I've done a lot of hockey blogs lately (duh - playoffs!!), but today I've decided to write about something else, believe it or not.
Yesterday, as you probably already know, there was another school shooting in the U.S. at Virginia Tech. This one was the worst in U.S. history, with 32 dead (last I heard), including the gun man, who was VT student. Everyone always remembers the Columbine shooting in Colorado in the late '90's - well, this one was much, much worse.
School shootings always kind of hit me in the gut everytime I hear about them. There are so many tragedies around the world every day, that we hear about in the papers and on the TV and radio. Wars. Natural disasters. Genocide. Mass murders. But for me, hearing about a troubled young person opening fire on their peers amidst the "safe walls" of a school - it always makes me stop and wonder, What the hell is the world coming to??
Reactions here at the office as the news broke were varied. One person said, "Oh well, just another one. Until the Americans get better gun control laws, this is what they can expect." Another said, "The worst part of these school shootings is that the coward always ends up putting the gun to his own head. I wish one of those freaks wouldn't get the chance to take his own life, and that he could be locked up in a room with the parents of the kids he killed, and let them exact their own justice." Yet another said, "Makes me wonder why I brought kids into this world. It's a scary, screwed-up place."
It's hard to argue with any of those statements. Tragedies like this always bring up the same topics of discussion - gun control laws, retribution, the state of the world. What scares me the most is that each time this happens, I'm reminded that there are some twisted kids out there who are able to take weapons into their schools and open fire on their classmates. In the aftermath, there are always people - family members, teachers, and friends - who come forwards and say, "I never would have predicted this. He was a quiet kid, very shy, very unthreatening."
So how are we supposed to know who the bad guys are? How are we supposed to know when someone's going to snap, at school or in the workplace? How are we supposed to differentiate between the good, happy-go-lucky people, and the ones who can be pushed over the edge and blow us all away?
When I think too much about it, it terrifies me. Schools are supposed to be safe. Since Columbine, they all have better security systems, and in the States, many even have gun checks at the doors. There are cameras and lockdowns and guards and drills.
So why does this keep happening?
Yesterday, as you probably already know, there was another school shooting in the U.S. at Virginia Tech. This one was the worst in U.S. history, with 32 dead (last I heard), including the gun man, who was VT student. Everyone always remembers the Columbine shooting in Colorado in the late '90's - well, this one was much, much worse.
School shootings always kind of hit me in the gut everytime I hear about them. There are so many tragedies around the world every day, that we hear about in the papers and on the TV and radio. Wars. Natural disasters. Genocide. Mass murders. But for me, hearing about a troubled young person opening fire on their peers amidst the "safe walls" of a school - it always makes me stop and wonder, What the hell is the world coming to??
Reactions here at the office as the news broke were varied. One person said, "Oh well, just another one. Until the Americans get better gun control laws, this is what they can expect." Another said, "The worst part of these school shootings is that the coward always ends up putting the gun to his own head. I wish one of those freaks wouldn't get the chance to take his own life, and that he could be locked up in a room with the parents of the kids he killed, and let them exact their own justice." Yet another said, "Makes me wonder why I brought kids into this world. It's a scary, screwed-up place."
It's hard to argue with any of those statements. Tragedies like this always bring up the same topics of discussion - gun control laws, retribution, the state of the world. What scares me the most is that each time this happens, I'm reminded that there are some twisted kids out there who are able to take weapons into their schools and open fire on their classmates. In the aftermath, there are always people - family members, teachers, and friends - who come forwards and say, "I never would have predicted this. He was a quiet kid, very shy, very unthreatening."
So how are we supposed to know who the bad guys are? How are we supposed to know when someone's going to snap, at school or in the workplace? How are we supposed to differentiate between the good, happy-go-lucky people, and the ones who can be pushed over the edge and blow us all away?
When I think too much about it, it terrifies me. Schools are supposed to be safe. Since Columbine, they all have better security systems, and in the States, many even have gun checks at the doors. There are cameras and lockdowns and guards and drills.
So why does this keep happening?
Monday, April 16, 2007
My Poor Wade
So the series between the Sens and the Pens now stands at 2-1 in our favour. They lost on Saturday when we were in attendance, of course, because they hardly ever win when I'm there. Fortunately, it wasn't Game 7 or anything like that. They bounced back well in Pittsburgh last night, taking it 4-2 on the strength of Captain Alfie's 2 second-period goals.
Things are going well. If they play like they did in Games #1 and #3 (and most of Game #2), then we should be OK.
There's only one thing throwing a damper on my playoff hype this Spring. And that is the fact that Wade Redden - my beloved Wade Redden - is not playing up to his capabilities. Truthfully, he hasn't played well for much of this season. He's battled injuries, and while he had a good stretch between Christmas and the All-Star Break, he has otherwise been a disappointment this season.
It takes a lot for me to admit that. I usually defend Wade up and down, all over the place. And when he's healthy, I'd still take him over any other D-man in this league. Yes, that's right. I'd take him ahead of guys like Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermeyer and Niklas Lidstrom.
Mainly because he's just so damn hot.
But so far in this young playoff season, Wade hasn't played well, and I can't deny it.
My dad's theory is that his partner, Andrej Meszaros, sucks, and Wade has spent much of this season trying to clean up the messes the young d-man makes. While he's been covering for Meszaros' mistakes, he's ended up wallowing in his own messes, and because he's the $6.5 Milllion Dollar Man, he's the one who ends up taking the heat in the sports pages and on sports talk radio.
For me, the sentimental sucker that I am, I have to think that this might be an emotional time for Wade, as these playoffs mark the one-year anniversary of his mother's death. It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since Pat Redden passed away, and her son ended up bouncing back and forth between his home in Lloydminster, Saskatchwan, and his team, who were in the midst of a Round 1 playoff with Tampa Bay. Wade Redden played some of his best hockey in that series, and while he missed one game to be with his family, he garnered First Star status in two of the other games, including the final game when the Sens beat out the Lightning, with his dad and brother watching on. So I believe it is entirely possible that Redden has had a rough year, mourning the loss of his mother, and now he's back in the playoffs again, a time of year that brings more sad memories than just the Senators' pre-mature elimination from many a Stanley Cup run.
This morning on the Team 1200, Steve Warne chalked it up to an injury. He (and many other members of the sports media surrounding the Sens) believe that Redden is currently playing through an injury, most likely another groin strain, and while this bumps him down the depth chart to a 5th or 6th d-man, an injured Wade Redden is apparently still better than a healthy Lawrence Nycholat.
Maybe so. But should the Sens go deep into these playoffs (God willing!), how long can this poor man go on?? Will he not eventually need to take some time off to heal? Will "forcing it" not cause more damage? Isn't it better that he take a seat now and get better while guys like Joe Corvo and Tom Preissing have elevated their games, taking some of the pressure off of him?
Or is it about Wade Redden proving that he can fight through this and be a factor for the Sens? Maybe it's about not wussing out and playing through the pain. After all, those are the guys who get recognized as the playoff warriors. Got a broken arm? Who cares! Score 3 goals, dammit! Sprained your ankle? Ice it, you pussy, and get out there!
Clearly, either Wade Redden or the Senators' medical staff feel this is an injury he can play through (if it is, in fact, an injury). If so, I really hope he starts playing better, because I just can't take all this heat from the media. He's my boy. He's the reason I love hockey. He's why I love the Sens as much as I do.
Whatever the case, I know he can be better than he has been. And I truly believe that he can dig deep and overcome whatever it is that has been holding him back.
Because when it comes right down to it, this team needs him.
GO SENS GO!!
Things are going well. If they play like they did in Games #1 and #3 (and most of Game #2), then we should be OK.
There's only one thing throwing a damper on my playoff hype this Spring. And that is the fact that Wade Redden - my beloved Wade Redden - is not playing up to his capabilities. Truthfully, he hasn't played well for much of this season. He's battled injuries, and while he had a good stretch between Christmas and the All-Star Break, he has otherwise been a disappointment this season.
It takes a lot for me to admit that. I usually defend Wade up and down, all over the place. And when he's healthy, I'd still take him over any other D-man in this league. Yes, that's right. I'd take him ahead of guys like Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermeyer and Niklas Lidstrom.
Mainly because he's just so damn hot.
But so far in this young playoff season, Wade hasn't played well, and I can't deny it.
My dad's theory is that his partner, Andrej Meszaros, sucks, and Wade has spent much of this season trying to clean up the messes the young d-man makes. While he's been covering for Meszaros' mistakes, he's ended up wallowing in his own messes, and because he's the $6.5 Milllion Dollar Man, he's the one who ends up taking the heat in the sports pages and on sports talk radio.
For me, the sentimental sucker that I am, I have to think that this might be an emotional time for Wade, as these playoffs mark the one-year anniversary of his mother's death. It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since Pat Redden passed away, and her son ended up bouncing back and forth between his home in Lloydminster, Saskatchwan, and his team, who were in the midst of a Round 1 playoff with Tampa Bay. Wade Redden played some of his best hockey in that series, and while he missed one game to be with his family, he garnered First Star status in two of the other games, including the final game when the Sens beat out the Lightning, with his dad and brother watching on. So I believe it is entirely possible that Redden has had a rough year, mourning the loss of his mother, and now he's back in the playoffs again, a time of year that brings more sad memories than just the Senators' pre-mature elimination from many a Stanley Cup run.
This morning on the Team 1200, Steve Warne chalked it up to an injury. He (and many other members of the sports media surrounding the Sens) believe that Redden is currently playing through an injury, most likely another groin strain, and while this bumps him down the depth chart to a 5th or 6th d-man, an injured Wade Redden is apparently still better than a healthy Lawrence Nycholat.
Maybe so. But should the Sens go deep into these playoffs (God willing!), how long can this poor man go on?? Will he not eventually need to take some time off to heal? Will "forcing it" not cause more damage? Isn't it better that he take a seat now and get better while guys like Joe Corvo and Tom Preissing have elevated their games, taking some of the pressure off of him?
Or is it about Wade Redden proving that he can fight through this and be a factor for the Sens? Maybe it's about not wussing out and playing through the pain. After all, those are the guys who get recognized as the playoff warriors. Got a broken arm? Who cares! Score 3 goals, dammit! Sprained your ankle? Ice it, you pussy, and get out there!
Clearly, either Wade Redden or the Senators' medical staff feel this is an injury he can play through (if it is, in fact, an injury). If so, I really hope he starts playing better, because I just can't take all this heat from the media. He's my boy. He's the reason I love hockey. He's why I love the Sens as much as I do.
Whatever the case, I know he can be better than he has been. And I truly believe that he can dig deep and overcome whatever it is that has been holding him back.
Because when it comes right down to it, this team needs him.
GO SENS GO!!
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