Christmas for the Sens

Weirdly, I'd already decided to do a series of posts about gifts for the Sens before I saw this month's Creative Challenge (really, I swear), so I've got a bit of a head start.

I've begun with Alex Auld: the last line of defense, and man who has been something of an unexpected gift to Sens fans himself.



When Alex Auld signed with Ottawa, I figured we were getting a nice backup goalie. Someone who maybe wasn’t going to make a huge impact, but who at least wouldn’t drive us all insane. He’s turned out to be so much more than that. Sure, we’re only a quarter of the way through the season or so and we have no idea if he can keep this up, but to this point I think Auld can be described fairly and without hyperbole as amazingly brilliantly wonderfully fantastically awesometacular. He has surpassed anyone’s wildest expectations, probably including his own. And he has brought hope to an entire generation of Sens fans, who thought they would be stuck with crappy goaltending forever. Today, during the Sens-Pens game, he made a big save to prevent the Penguins from tying it up during the last two minutes of play. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Sens goalie do something like that. It looks like — I’m sorry, I’m getting a little emotional. But it looks like we might actually have … a good goalie. I’m going to pause here while you let that feeling wash over you.

And we’re back. Really, the only person other than Auld who can bring on these kind of warm, fuzzy, despair-free feelings is that other great icon of hope, Barack Obama. So, I thought: what could be a more appropriate gift for Auld than this lovely Barack Obama “Hope” poster? Nothing. But I’m also throwing in this snazzy Ottawa Senators logo necktie I made, which symbolizes the fact that, thanks to him, the Sens no longer have to resort to playing a tie in goal because one of their goalies is such a prima donna that he doesn’t show up for practice. Have a great Christmas, Auldinator. You deserve it.

Also posted (with a little extra) to my blog.

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So We Meet Again, Old Friend

Image from the Ottawa Sun

I will admit that I sometimes get emotionally attached to a lot of the players on my team, even if they aren't necessarily my "favourite". You get used to seeing the team look the way they are, you have names associated with faces associated with numbers. Certain numbers with certain names on the back of the sweaters just look right, like they absolutely belong together.

As a Senators fan, I suppose I've been "lucky" that we haven't seen our team blown up or gutted over the years. However, this summer marked the departure of somebody who was once a key piece of the team. If you asked me as near as three years ago, I would have told you there was no way in all that was sacred, Wade Redden would be leaving the Senators. He was one of the originals, the core, the heart and soul of the team who had been with us since he was still a young rookie and has grown up before our eyes. He was one of the key pieces that helped turn the team into the Beast of the East (at least in the Regular Season) we all know.


But as much as we try to fight it, hockey is still a business and there isn't any room for emotions in business. So this summer, we waved goodbye to Redden as he searched for greener pastures and greener dollars with the New York Rangers.

Redden had been my favourite player for as long as I could remember. I always maintained that he meant more to the Senators than any other player on the team, for a time I thought he was more dear to the franchise than even Daniel Alfredsson (I admit to being young and foolish. I've learned the error of my ways). But everything this off-season was set in a way that Redden leaving was inevitable. Over the years, myself and many others of Senators nation had grown disenchanted with Redden. His play had been faltering and while we gave him the benefit of the doubt for awhile, it became more than just underachieving, it became what looked like downright lethargy. Like he didn't care, and that the fire was gone. After a dismal end to a season with such high expectations, the franchise needed a shake-up and Redden needed a fresh start.

As much as I was expecting Redden to leave, it still hurt a little to see him signing with the Rangers for $6.5 million. For one, it was the Rangers. For another, it always stings a little to see a former favourite go for a hefty price tag.

The Senators first meeting with the Rangers is at MSG on Monday, November 17th, a game I'll be sure to be watching with interest. I'm curious as to see whether or not Redden can bring his play back up to the level which it's capable of, and whether or not he will find chemistry with this Rangers team that I've decided is some sort of Frankenstein with very expensive parts. I want to know if he got the fire back and if playing his former team will be special for him too. If there really were bitter feelings at the departure, I would love to see it on the ice. Sure, having a charged up and inspired Redden might be a disadvantage for us, but it'd make for exciting hockey.

The following Saturday on November 22nd, the Rangers will visit the Senators in an afternoon game at the bank. It'll be Redden's first visit back to the bank and I can only guess what the reception will be. He didn't exactly leave town under the greatest circumstances, but to be fair, he left via free agency, which he had every right to do and not because he pouted and demanded a trade. I expect a couple of boos, we gave Zdeno Chara the same treatment even if he didn't deserve it. But I really hope that the Senators fans will remember all of the great things that Redden did for the team and not the shell of the player he once was that we've come to know in recent memory. Hey, he's somebody else's expensive responsibility now after all.

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We're Talkin' 'Bout Practice - Emery Late Again

^{Picture from Affliction Clothing}

Emery showed up four minutes after the team took the ice for a 4pm skate at the Farmingdale Iceworks practice facility in Long Island on Monday as the team prepares to face the Islanders Tuesday. He was then told not to join the team on the ice for practice.

"I decided we wouldn't go on the ice until 4pm and when he wasn't here, it was done with until I talk to him and talk to (Senators general manager) Bryan (Murray) or we both talk to Ray," Paddock said after practice.

Sources tell TSN that Emery maintains he was late because he thought the practice was at the Nassau Coliseum, not the Islanders' practice facility. --TSN.ca

Ray, listen...sit down for a second will you?

Now, I'm actually quite sympathetic to your plight because I too am not a morning person. Maybe you're just not quite used to having to you know, be on time for things but if I've learned anything in my years as a professional student, it's how to get up early enough so that I'll be on time for things. Allow me, if I may to impart some unsolicited advice so that you can stop screwing your team over.

1. Set All Your Clocks 10 Minutes Ahead - Keep in mind though this will only be effective if you remember that they're not set ahead. Maybe have one of your teammates do it while you're out of the house and not tell you when. This way you'll think you're late when you're really actually early! That'll get you back into Paddock's good books.
2. Set Your ALARM an HOUR Ahead - There's no greater feeling than waking up and realizing you still have more time to sleep. If you set your hour way earlier than you actually need it to be, you'll be reminded that you need to wake up and with your constant need to hit the snooze button, it'll be like you're awake already!
3. Make a Packed Lunch the Night Before - Nothing takes up more time than having to worry about breakfast and lunch for the day. Why not go back to those high school days of yore when your mother so lovingly packed you a snack and a sandwich in those good ol' Thermos bags? They're environmentally friendly as well!
4. Have Somebody Call You When You Need to Wake Up - Our school has this nasty bit of business of having exams start at 9 a.m. Some of my friends, who worry about not being able to wake up in time, have people who they know are early risers give them a call at the appropriate time. What about Dean McAmmond? He's got a brood of kids, I'm sure he's up at all hours.
   
5. Car Pool - Look, with your driving track record I'm not so sure this isn't a bad idea. Back to the whole 'environmentally business', given your vehicles of choice I'm sure car pooling will earn you back some brownie points from good ol' Mother Nature there. She is one broad you do not want to piss off.
   

Please realize I'm doing this to try to help you Ray. I quite like you. I mean your shenanigans are kind of funny when they're not upsetting the team, but this crap has got to stop. You're making $9.5 million! You have 11 watches! Surely ONE of them has the right time on it.

Programming Note!
If you're in the Ottawa region or like listening to the Team 1200, blogger Mike Chen will be on later tonight at around 11 p.m. - 12 a.m. doing an interview with the guys. You can also live-stream it from their website if you can't get it on your dial.

^{Cross-Posted to Scarlett Ice}

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Is That a Pre-Requisite Now?

^{(Darren Calabrese, Sun)}

Well, I guess I'm off to find out who else in the NHL is from Mississauga now.

So we've learned that the players will probably not pay attention to your signs, but you'll probably get into the paper.



That's better.

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All I Want for Christmas...

Some Senators tell you what their best Christmas gifts were. Santa came early for Mike Fisher and gave him his front teeth back after they were knocked out when he was Zidaned by Scott Walker

Because I'm picky like that, there's a continuity alert as you'll see from this video from the Senators website that Jason Spezza's best Christmas gift was actually when his parents gave him a year's supply of bubblegum.

As your supreme HLOG overlord has previously mentioned, hope everybody has an extremely wonderful and SENSational (see what I did there?) holiday season.

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DANGER Will Robinson!

DISCLAIMER:
This posted by Teka, who is an admitted liberal pro-choice feminist. Views in this post do not necessarily speak for the entirety of the Hloggers. However, as this blog is generally read by females and pro-female types, it's important that word on this get out.

For any Sens fan contemplating entering the Ottawa Senators "Better Halves" Christmas tree raffle this year, take a good hard look at where the money it raises is going. The First Place Pregnancy Center lists numerous pro-life sites on their links page, and turns out to be a "Crisis Pregnancy Center", which, according to Wikipedia, "are non-profit organizations established by pro-life supporters that work to persuade pregnant women to give birth rather than have abortions, with a focus on women facing unplanned or "crisis" pregnancies. "

Planned Parenthood Ottawa has released a statement here, in which they encourage fans to recognize the aims of the First Place Pregnancy Center before giving money to support it.

More information assembled from Birth Pangs here and here
Another view here from Unrepentant Old Hippie.
Feministing.com's take is here

Please be a conscientious consumer-money speaks!

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Paging the Fact-Checker

Paycut a reality for Redden in Ottawa
Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Sportsnet.ca -- Ottawa Senators' defenceman Wade Redden has been with the franchise since its inception; which bodes the question: How much does team loyalty cost?

"I would feel real good leaving next year and see them win the Stanley Cup," he said, sarcastically.

Redden followed up the sarcasm with a dose of reality, admitting to the Ottawa Sun how he would consider a pay cut to stay with the Cup contender.

First off, the modern Senators franchise was founded in 1992. Redden wasn't drafted until 1996.

Secondly, I have rather mixed feelings about the whole Redden situation. Now that he is on record in saying that he's willing to take a pay-cut to stay here that will definitely be factor once negotiations start. However, he's looking at an extremely steep pay-cut if he wants to be a part of this franchise long-term.

And why wouldn't he? Bryan Murray has made it pretty clear he's committed to the future of this team and my impression of Redden is that he cares more about winning than his salary. However, in order for everything to fit under the salary cap, Redden is looking at an extremely steep discount. At least he can find comfort in the fact that him and 5 other Senators players are on the All-Star ballot this year.

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System of a Down

Cross-posted to Hockey Will Tear Us Apart.

Just as he got over the centre red line, heading towards the offensive blueline, he clearly identified McAmmond in the far corner, beginning to move behind the net, and Downie sprinted at top speed. It was clear from way before the moment of contact what he was doing and what was going to happen if McAmmond didn't alter his course. It was like watching a high-speed auto accident unfold right in front of you.

To Downie's credit, I suppose, he did stop churning his legs and began to glide, mitigating the issue of a charge to some degree. But there was never any doubt in my mind what was in Downie's mind, he was going avenge the hit he took and McAmmond was going to pay the price.

-- Bob McKenzie

On McAmmond

Current status: Dean has been released from the hospital with no serious injury. He is expected in Scotiabank Place today for treatment.

We should expect this to be a long-term injury. McAmmond has a colourful history of past concussions and with his age, his long-term brain health is the most important thing.

Dean is a huge loss for the Senators. He was such a reliable player, and even though this allows a rookie to make the team (Nikulin? Foligno?), they won't have his experience.

Also, we won the game 4-2.

Worst headline: McAmmond goes Downie.

On Downie

He's not a dirty player -- there is a difference between a calculated intent to injure, and an inability to calculate at all. Steve Downie isn't known for dirty hits, he's known for general psychotic behaviour: attacking players, beating up a rookie because the rookie refused to strip and cram into a bus bathroom. He's been suspended from the OHL more times than anyone cares to keep track.

Sure, it's to his advantage to be tenacious and edgy but there's a fine line between physical and psycho. Won't someone, anyone, sit him down and tell him that he needs to stop following his emotions and use his goddamn brain?

Shouldn't it have occured to him that this was a preseason game? Shouldn't Downie have realized that headhunting is a hyperbolic overreaction to whatever he thought wasn't being called? Shouldn't Downie have realized that he was essentially targeting whatever is left of Dean McAmmond's brain?

Shouldn't Downie have realized that he had just intentionally, violently hurt another human being and felt some sort of sympathy? Many reports are coming out that Downie was giggling as blood gurgled from Dean McAmmond's nose and mouth.

At least Colby Armstrong had the emotional intelligence to be concerned. Downie has never apologized for his actions in the OHL, even though he got his entire team's staff fired, even though he's been suspended so many times. He destroyed an entire team and never once said sorry. That's why I don't believe his "heartfelt remorse" statement after the game. He hasn't changed. He's just getting better at PR.

Downie has always been a battler on the ice, in part to answer the personal challenges he faced. His father, John Downie, was killed in an auto accident when he was driving seven-year-old Steve to an early morning practice in Everett, Ont. Ann Downie took over driving her sons, Steve and Greg, to hockey practices and maintaining the family farm in Queensville, a hamlet north of Toronto.

At age 13, Downie lost the hearing in his right ear. He wears a hearing aid off the ice. All through those life challenges, Downie displayed one stoic trait he never complained.

“After all that has happened and all he has had to overcome, you never see Steve feeling sorry for himself,” Twohey said. “He’s an upbeat kid, a positive kid who is liked by all his teammates.”

You know, Steve, saying sorry isn't the same thing as feeling sorry for yourself.

Unless someone in a mentor role takes control of Steve Downie right now, there will be bigger hits and bigger consequences to come. He has the history of violence and clearly lacks stability and emotional control. He's a psychopath!

I loathe the day I see his face on a newspaper again.

Lastly, perhaps it's beyond my concern as just a hockey fan, but I worry about Steve Downie off the ice. I don't believe that you can just "turn it off" away from the arena; that sort of rage is praticed and instilled. I wouldn't want to be around him when he gets angry.

Why I Love the Ottawa Senators

Throughout the entire scrum that followed Downie's hit, Patrick Eaves was trying to shove bodies off McAmmond, get the medical staff, and push the doctor onto the ice as fast as he could. Then he made sure we won the game for Dean with 2 assists.

Dean and Patrick are close off the ice, and the last time Patrick was knocked out, Dean literally fought for him, against Maxim Talbot.

It's us against the world.

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Angry Feminist Rant

First off, the Ottawa Senators unveiled their new jerseys yesterday and full pictures of the new threads can be found on Scarlett Ice.

I'm really torn on this one. I don't love it and I don't hate it. I'm glad they kept it simple but the lack of anything else on the body of the jersey gives it a practice jersey feel to it and I don't quite understand the need for the under-arm art. However, I am glad they kept it clean and avoided pointless piping and random colour blocking.

My real gripe however, is seeing this lovely t-shirt that was also on sale at Sensations as part of the new Senators merchandise available. It was taken by my friend Lydia who attended the jersey unveiling event:



Christy from Behind the Jersey also uncovered a similarly themed t-shirt available for the Red Wings fans.

Look, I know a lot of women like pink. I, myself have always disliked the colour but I'm not about to judge and ostracize you if you have a preference to wear it. The thing is, you can't pigeon-hole the female fanbase and say you're catering to their needs when all you offer them in their sizes and cuts are jerseys that completely eliminate the point of offering team merchandise in the first place. What's the point of shelling out for a team's jersey when they're all the same colour?

The whole pink jersey debate aside, I fail to see the logic in placing swirly, sparkly hearts on a t-shirt and think women will be rushing to buy it. Maybe this is an inappropriate generalization, but if you're a female hockey fan you're probably not the type who enjoys wearing pink hearts on a regular basis. If you do, you probably don't like it associated with your favourite hockey team.

Really, I know I shouldn't be surprised since you don't have to take cultural studies courses to realize that most of the media and culture is controlled by middle-aged corporate executives who try to tell you what you should or shouldn't like just so they can fatten their wallet. I'm sure there is a market for these things of men who purchase these shirts for their girlfriends who don't particularly care for hockey themselves but will wear it to make their boyfriends happy when they're being dragged to hockey games.

I don't mean any offense in my ranting. I'm sure there are a lot of passionate and serious female hockey fans who see no problems in this kind of merchandise. However, this type of design hardly screams 'take me seriously'. If you think about it, it shows that the marketing department in fact doesn't take their female fan base seriously because there's a problem when people think that women will only want to buy merchandise that's stereotypically "cutesy" and "girly". It's not the presence of pink hearts and butterflies that attracted us to hockey in the first place, so why would we need to see it on the clothing to get us to buy it?

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Please Let it be So!

Ray Emery's arbitration hearing was set for today and thanks to some obsessive refreshing of TSN.ca, there may be a chance where they can avoid it at the 11th hour:

TSN has learned that the Ottawa Senators and goaltender Ray Emery have avoided salary arbitration by reaching a last minute, three-year contract agreement worth $9.5 million. It is a substantial raise from the $925,000 he earned last season.

Emery is coming off a career season as he replaced Martin Gerber as the number one man between the pipes for the Senators. He helped lead the team to their first Stanley Cup finals appearance in modern history. Emery was 33-16-6 in 58 regular season games with a goals-against-average of 2.47. During the playoffs he was 13-7 with a 2.25 goals-against average.

That works out to be around $3.166666666666 million per season, which is comparable to Cam Ward's contract. Emery was a hard guy to position on the market since technically a) you don't get to the cup final by being a schlump and b) even so, not many people would say he's a top 10 goalie yet.

I hope the deal can get done and arbitration can be avoided so as to not have any hurt feelings and cries of: "You said you were my best friend!". The Senators also have RFAs Chris Kelly and Christoph Schubert to worry about but I suspect the attention should shit to retaining Dany Heatley to a new contract as he is set to become UFA next season.

Which means the future cap situation for the Senators looks a little bleak and I know Uncle Eugene is a gajabillionaire but he's also a businessman and I'd rather not the Senators turn into a Frankenteam with all these expensive players like the Rangers [because frankly, who wants to be like the Rangers?]. But keeping the core group would mean a lot of the players taking discounts. And they would do that right? I mean people like playing in Ottawa, right? What's not to love? Right? ...Right?

^{Cross-posted to Scarlett Ice}

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Hockey Night in Canada

Here's Hockey Night in Canada's playoff tribute...I thought it was awesome and thought I would share.

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and this is how the world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper

Stanley Cup Game 5.

An adventure involving one hockey obsessed 18 year old, her hockey loving dread locked room mate, 5 bars, countless orange juices, and a few tears.

It was 9 30 when I trooped out of the apartment this morning, toeing behind me by much abused room mate, complaining that I’d dragged him from his coffee (if he had got up on time it wouldn’t have been a problem). Our first stop was The Fox Sports Bar, two blocks from our inner city apartment, but alas it was not open. Neither was the sports bar in Jupiters Casino ( a further block from our apartment , and then across a bridge) much to our chagrin (we could bet there!) so we tramped on. Another bar later (finding they were showing The French Open) we finally stumbled/ran/ strided towards Jimmy’s on the Mall (ALL HAIL the BAR). 20 meters from it I spotted the white ness of the ice, and a hockey stick and started jumping running cheering (much to the amusement of half of the Biggest Open air mall in the state).

We had found Ice Hockey.

Much to our joy, the stuff at the mostly empty bar/restaurant (open air, right in the middle of the mall) turned the speakers from music to the tv, letting us enjoy the commentary as we drank our breakfast juice and sadly sadly watch our team get decimated (in the company of a nice lad from Toronto, who was equally as L). There was shouting, there was crying, there was cheers, and much laughter from nearby American army boys who thought it was hilarious how “animated” I became, and the staff who had no idea what was going on.

Second intermission we relocated from our seats to the now open Union Jacks (home of every Australia pay tv channel, and Ice hockey on a projector screen). It went down hill from there, vodka found it’s way into the orange juice, and tears were shed (much to the amusement of the staff) as Ray Emery (who I may have called some not very nice things) promptly fell apart.

The playoffs this year, have rekindled my love of hockey (never lost just much mangled) but the finals series left me sadly disappointed. I wanted 7 games! I wanted competition! I wanted more being able to see them play since I’m now legally old enough too!

But alas, Alack, it was not to be.

I must say though, when it came down to the wire, as the team fell apart, Alfie stood tall and showed not only to Ottawa but the NHL, that he is a captain to be reckoned with. His two goals, in desperate attempts to salvage a season, to present what now seemed inevitable, show the strength of his resolve, his sheer will and determination and for that he will gain enormous respect, and hopefully quiet the nay sayers.

I now encourage you all as hockey in North America draws to a close, to pick your AIHL team (BRISBANE BLUETONGUES) because even though we only play twice a week, you get no coverage and we’re about 15th rate compared to the NHL. We’re still playing!

Till September!

And I am closing with a quote I found in my book today. I thought it was relevant.

No victory, nor yet defeat is chalked against the players name. But down the roll, the final scroll, shows only how he played the game.
Grantland Rice.

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Ok ladies...

I know you saw the hit last night...so here it is again...what do you think? Is Pronger going to be suspended? How long? Is the league going to take a stand?



UPDATE Pronger was suspended for one game...way to take care of the repeat offender NHL. Article and Interview with Carlyle

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repping australia.

This post is in honour of pirated HNIC Tivo and my first NHL Playoff game this season.

So last night i got to watch the Ducks (*insert booing and hissing of chris pronger*) vs Sens (*insert cheers of Patrick Eaves's fabulousness, some serious awesome playoff beards, and dany heatley's hair*). Admittedly the broadcast quality was terrible! and the only way we knew where the puck was, was thanks to the movement of the player with it, but it was still hockey!

Admittedly the game, to me wasn't all that exciting, it was GOOD end to end action, but there was far to little scoring for my liking. Yes Yes. I know.

But beside the Sens loosing, a good night was had by all (myself, wendy a fellow australian hockey fan and her hockey loving husband) as we cheered on both teams, argued heatedly about anything to do with hockey (i felt so normal with people who KNEW what i was talking about!)

I must say though, Mike Fisher's beat down of corey perry, including losing his helmet and going after him again, was one of the highlights of my night, in addition to Dany Heatley's minor tussle with Chris Pronger, which had me going "Now lets think this through. Good idea? No. Didn't think so"

In AIHL news, (That's the Australian Ice Hockey League for all those who don't know) The Brisbane Bluetongues (my homeboys! and the team I do fanclub photography for) recorded a win and a loss on the weekend against the Sydney Ice Dogs (the bottom of the ladder team, seemingly made up of half of the Australia IceHockeyrooos.)

Stars of the Weekend include Martin Paquet, Matt Amado and Tyrone Garner, Former Oshawa General and once Calgary Flame, 3 of the teams Imports.

The team play again on the 2nd in Newcastle, against reigning champions the North Stars (Who they've recorded a 1 - 1 mark this season against, the hangover after the first win the reason for the second loss) and on the 3rd the Sydney Bears.

The team next home game is the 23/24 of June versus the Melbourne Ice,

Hey Jordi, Bets on who's team wins? Yours or mine? :-) (You should have so come to visit, You could sleep on my couch)

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Attention Female Senators Fans!

Not only are we extremely awesome, beautiful and talented, [for those of you who are rolling on the floor laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of this, shut up before I whack you with a wine and cheese baguette], even the mainstream media wants to talk to us!

CBC Radio has e-mailed HLOG, looking for Senators fans that live in the Ottawa area to be involved with their Morning program in Ottawa for this upcoming Monday. I would be jumping in to participate, but unfortunately, I am stuck in the trenches of Leafs Nation, fighting the good fight.

So! If you are interested, please contact Susan Burgess, the associate producer by the end of today or the latest tomorrow.

Senators Ladies! Represent!

Susan Burgess
Associate Producer, CBC Radio Ottawa
613-288-6514
Susan(underscore)Burgess AT cbc-dot-ca

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Knob Hockey Solves All Problems

For those who read my Scarlett Ice game diary, you'll know that I'm actually quite calm about the Senators' loss last night. The only thing driving my nuts is the day in between that I have to wait until I can see my boys play again.

In the meantime, entertain yourself with some new clips from Knob-hockey!

Alfie Makes a Phone Call

Lord Stanley, Line 2


See? Pronger hates Canada!


Don't You Quack At Me!

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The first sign of Armageddon...

I was relatively certain that the Sens wouldn't make it far in the playoffs. They don't, usually...right? (heeeee) So I wasn't too worried about having to cheer for them in the finals because I didn't honestly think it'd come to that.

Well, it has. And I don't think I can do it.
It is not because I hate them (I don't), but I'm certainly not fond of them and that is not something you can just switch off, especially if you've spent all season grumbling at them.
And I'm well aware that they're a Canadian team in the finals and for that alone I should be whole-heartedly throwing my support behind them, but well...it's not like the team entirely consists of Canadians.

I thought about it a little, and this is how it works out.
Say I cheer for the Sens:
Sens Lose - I am disappointed...and ok, I'm a little patriotic, a Canadian team missed out.
Sens Win - I will be excited but will have the victory rubbed in my face by Sens fans along the vein of "Sens rule, Leafs drool!!" for years to come despite the fact I had been cheering for them.

Now, say I cheer for the Ducks:
Ducks Lose - I am disappointed, and will probably have the the victory of the Sens rubbed in my face anyway, but I won't have to suffer the indignation of experiencing that even after having reluctantly chosen to support them.
Ducks Win - I will be mildly excited (well, I'm not that emotionally invested) and Sens fans in mourning (and quiet).

So in terms of risk and reward, it makes better sense to become a Ducks fan. For a Leafs fan, it's lose-lose vs. win-lose. I doubt anyone from Ottawa would want my very conditional love anyway.

As an aside, I'd like to add that I've never called the Sens chokers. Only one team out of 16 can get the Cup, and it's not like anything less should be considered complete and utter failure. Besides, we haven't even been making the playoffs lately....so we don't really have any business taunting those who have.

but anyway...
GO DUCKS!!
and for the Sens - may the best team win. I certainly won't cry myself to sleep if a team located in my own province manages to go all the way.

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Let's Get Ready to Rumble

One of the deejays on our local sports talk radio kept saying this yesterday - he said it so many times I wanted to rip his tongue out, really, but there's no doubt it's true: Doesn't it feel like the entire season has been building toward Buffalo and Ottawa duking it out for the right to go to the Stanley Cup Finals? Heck, you could argue that it started last season. It started with Buffalo surprising Ottawa by taking a 3-0 lead in the second round of last year's playoffs and sending them home on Jason Pominville's short-handed goal in game five. From there it went to Ottawa more or less dominating Buffalo in the regular season. And of course, there was Chris Neil's hit on Chris Drury and all that led to - players throwing punches, goalies throwing down, coaches ranting and raving, fans going nuts.

Hockey fans, I feel like it's my duty to encourage you - nay, implore you! - to do whatever you need to do to make sure you're at home and in front of a TV for the Eastern Conference finals. I really think Buffalo-Ottawa is going to be the best series of the playoffs and that includes any potential Finals match-up. The teams play similar styles - wide open, baby! - and are, in many ways, mirror images of each other. Both have multiple lines of fast, skilled forwards, both have good skating, mobile defenses, both have solid young goalies, both have smart, experienced coaches. And both want to beat the other very, very badly. The Senators want to end the team that ended them last season, finally tossing aside the choker label. The Sabres want to go one more round than they did last spring and show that the regular season wasn't a fluke.

For the record... While there are some concerns on both sides - Ottawa needs to start getting a little more secondary scoring, Buffalo needs to be more consistent on special teams - if everyone plays the way they can, I think the defenses and offenses are pretty close to a wash. That leaves us with goaltending. And while there's no doubt Ray Emery is a better goalie than he was this time last year (just wait till the devil comes to collect that soul, Ray), I'm more than comfortable giving Ryan Miller an edge. He's been the one Sabre locked in from the beginning of the playoffs, he's let in the same number of goals as Emery while facing 40 more shots behind a team that looked asleep for parts of the first two rounds. He's looked calm and confident from the first puck drop. I'm - surprise! - picking the Sabres in 7 long, tough games with Miller being the difference maker.


But seriously, watch. It's going to be awesome.

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Blonde Ambition

Which player do you secretly cheer for on the inside, even when he's playing against your team?

This really pains me. Marian Hossa. He's the only player that I hope plays well, even against the Senators.

Please don't think it's just an ex-Senators thing. I cared about Havlat and Lalime when they were with the Senators, but in their new incarnations as Blackhawks, I am indifferent, even to Havlat's wily charms. On some level, I think we hope that every player does "well" -- you know, doesn't get hurt, plays at least in a dignified fashion. (Yes, I was embarrassed for Stoll last night as he fell on the Edmonton Oilers power-play.) But with Hossa, I just want him to hold the puck on a string and dominate physically like he does when he's at his best. I want to see him streaming down the wing, I want to see him backchecking furiously, I want to see him frustrating defensemen. I care about Hossa, even now, because I feel his career with the Senators is unfinished. Unlike Lalime or Havlat, he didn't choose to leave nor was his departure incredibly needed. I feel like his career would only be complete if he finished it with the Senators ... that's why I cheer for him inside, because he still holds a bit of the Senators within him.

I still hate losing to him as he wears a different uniform, though. I'm also slightly resentful towards Thrashers fans.

Also, as crappy as Redden has been lately, he's the only player I would cheer for on the outside, even against the Senators.

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Reason #348348923 Hockey is Awesome

You welcome, I think we just saved hockey.

You know what's maddening about this is of course the fact that I was this close to attending this game.

Thanks to Battle of Ontario here is the brilliance that was tonight's Ottawa vs. Buffalo's game. The first is the initial Drury hit from Neil and the one after is the melee that ensued:






Hockey's awesome! Rest of America, you have no idea what you're missing!

I'm betting Brian McGrattan spit out his beer from the press box and had to be restrained by the security people from jumping out onto the ice when all of this happened.

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