Another game, another loss... another opportunity for people to jump off the bandwagon. The team's toast - that's it. Watch the Sens blow the Ducks away 4-0 tomorrow and see those people fall all over each other to jump back on.
Was it an easy game to watch last night? Nope. It reminded me of one of those 1-0 playoff games the Ottawa Senators played against the Toronto Maple Leafs all those years ago. People wonder why I'm so tense and silent when watching playoff games. I sometimes can't seem to handle the emotional pressure that comes with the ups and downs!
Apparently only three teams have come back from 2-0 deficits in the Stanley Cup finals. The last team to do it, according to the Team 1200 yesterday, is the 1971 Montreal Canadiens. I haven't checked to see if they lost those first two games on the road or not. The good news for the Senators is that the two games they lost were on the road. Isn't the goal to try and split when you open a series on the road anyway? Doesn't that mean that losing the first two games is a distinct possibility?
Maybe this is a series where home ice is going to be the big advantage. Not because of the fans, building or ice surface - but because of the "last change". The coaches can make last second tweaks to get their desired match-ups on the ice.
The point most often discussed on Tuesday and Wednesday was that the Sens obviously didn't "bring it" in game one. I suppose we can now all agree that they didn't yesterday either. The bright light in all of this is Ray Emery's play. If he doesn't get Conn Smythe consideration like Giguere did a few years ago, I don't know what else he could possibly do. It is solely because of Emery that the Ottawa Senators were even in games one and two.
I'm hoping that Coach Murray will pound the players over the head with video of the first two games of this round. I hope that he follows it up with video from the first three series of this postseason. These professional hockey players should be able to see the subtle nuances of what was a few weeks ago and what seems to be today. They then should be able to adjust accordingly... it seems to work for pro golfers and baseball players when their swing goes south.
Am I worried? Of course. Am I ready to throw in the towel? Nope - tons of teams have come back from 2-0 deficits... maybe not in the finals, but it is crystal clear that the Ottawa Senators have not played to their potential in this series. If they can come out banging tomorrow night and score an early goal to get Anaheim players back on heels, the Senators speed and skill can overcome whatever the Ducks try to throw around.
Being down 2-1 with a game two days later, again on home ice, is not a bad place to be. Going back to Anaheim 2-2 is exactly what we want now, and if that happens, it's not inconceivable that the magic we saw in the Sens' season only a few days ago will reappear and people will start to believe again.
But first... Saturday. It's up in the air as far as whether the "real" Senators will show up... but it's clear that I will be there. I finally snagged a pair of tickets last night and I'm looking forward to doing my part to ensure the Sens get back on track. Riiight. Well, who knows - every little bit counts, right?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The rollercoaster ride begins
That was somewhat disappointing! OK, it was VERY disappointing.
While our Sens held two one-goal leads at times during the game, it was clear that the Ducks were hustling more than the Ottawa players were. It seemed like they were hitting more, skating harder and just plain playing better.
The question that will be asked throughout the series and forever if the Ottawa Senators don't bring the glory home was asked a million times last night: was the long break in between game five of the Eastern Conference Final and game one of the Stanley Cup Finals responsible for a less than stellar effort?
As the post-game show host pointed out on Team 1200 last night, had the second Anaheim goal not gone in and had the final score been Ottawa 2 and Anaheim 1, nobody would have spent more than twenty seconds on the issue. We're now going to beat that horse flatter than any other point through to tomorrow's final buzzer.
Should we be concerned as Senators fans? Of course not - it's just one game. Good old Toronto fans announcing the game for the CBC last night pointed out that the winner of game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals have won 60% of the series... that's not too far off from 50-50, really. So take that stat and shove it, Neale and Cole.
Last night was the fourth loss in sixteen games played by the Sens in the postseason. They're now 12-4 with a .750 winning percentage. Last night was a one-goal decision - we didn't get blown out 7-1. Nobody's going to suggest that Gerber be brought in to play game two because of the big-time gaffes made by Ray Emery.
So let's continue enjoying the fact that we are one of only two teams competing for hockey's greatest trophy - we still have 2+ weeks of fun to come...
On to game #2!!
While our Sens held two one-goal leads at times during the game, it was clear that the Ducks were hustling more than the Ottawa players were. It seemed like they were hitting more, skating harder and just plain playing better.
The question that will be asked throughout the series and forever if the Ottawa Senators don't bring the glory home was asked a million times last night: was the long break in between game five of the Eastern Conference Final and game one of the Stanley Cup Finals responsible for a less than stellar effort?
As the post-game show host pointed out on Team 1200 last night, had the second Anaheim goal not gone in and had the final score been Ottawa 2 and Anaheim 1, nobody would have spent more than twenty seconds on the issue. We're now going to beat that horse flatter than any other point through to tomorrow's final buzzer.
Should we be concerned as Senators fans? Of course not - it's just one game. Good old Toronto fans announcing the game for the CBC last night pointed out that the winner of game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals have won 60% of the series... that's not too far off from 50-50, really. So take that stat and shove it, Neale and Cole.
Last night was the fourth loss in sixteen games played by the Sens in the postseason. They're now 12-4 with a .750 winning percentage. Last night was a one-goal decision - we didn't get blown out 7-1. Nobody's going to suggest that Gerber be brought in to play game two because of the big-time gaffes made by Ray Emery.
So let's continue enjoying the fact that we are one of only two teams competing for hockey's greatest trophy - we still have 2+ weeks of fun to come...
On to game #2!!
Monday, May 28, 2007
HERE WE GO!!!!!!!
Fifteen years of dreaming.
Ten years of frustrating playoff runs (or whatever they could be called a few of those years!)
Good times, bad times.
Well they're all behind us - this is it - this is NOW! Today is the day that the Ottawa Senators compete in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Who would have thought?! Bruce Firestone, Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton did. And after around twenty years of blood, sweat and tears, their dream is finally coming true in front of their very eyes.
Our dream.
It's tough for me to get extra excited about the fact that "we're there". Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic - my office is decorated with Stanley Cup series "art". Up until the end of the season prior to the "season that never was" due to the lockout, I was a season ticket holder. Up until last year, I had never missed a playoff game at the Corel Centre. The lockout then happened - I noticed that there was more to do on Thursday and Saturday nights than to head west to the greatest arena on earth. Then I had to save up money for a wedding last year. I just recently recovered from that expense.
That meant that a ticket package for this year was not a possibility for me. That means that I am one of the fans on the outside looking in right now. I've been fortunate to be able to go to one game in each of the series thus far, but no matter what angle I take, I have been unable to get tickets for the biggest round ever. Members of the media reasoned with fans calling into local radio programs that it's the team's duty of sorts to help support those who have supported it this season. I do understand that - but what about those who were there through the lean years where the Sens couldn't even muster up a season win total in the double digits? What about those who were there for the last seconds of the season before the lockout transformed the league?
I know, this is a world of "what have you done for me lately" kinds of attitudes.
So, I have decorated my apartment's front window, I have decorated my office and I have been wearing nothing but Sens jerseys I bought in the past and other Sens-themed clothing I have purchased more recently. I will keep trying Capital Tickets in the hopes that a ducat or two frees up some time before Saturday night rolls around. I will also keep trying to get a pair of tickets on eBay in spite of continued threats from Senators officials who claim to be "retracting" them. Thanks for looking out for me, guys, but if it's the only way I can get some, what am I supposed to do!?
So let's go Sens - the moment is now and it may never come back... so starting at 4:30pm this afternoon when I can bust out of the office, it's no holds barred, all Sens, all the time... and whether I can get to ScotiaBank Place or not, it's time to get caught up in this wonderful story and see where it takes us.
GO SENS GO!!!!!!!
Ten years of frustrating playoff runs (or whatever they could be called a few of those years!)
Good times, bad times.
Well they're all behind us - this is it - this is NOW! Today is the day that the Ottawa Senators compete in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Who would have thought?! Bruce Firestone, Cyril Leeder and Randy Sexton did. And after around twenty years of blood, sweat and tears, their dream is finally coming true in front of their very eyes.
Our dream.
It's tough for me to get extra excited about the fact that "we're there". Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic - my office is decorated with Stanley Cup series "art". Up until the end of the season prior to the "season that never was" due to the lockout, I was a season ticket holder. Up until last year, I had never missed a playoff game at the Corel Centre. The lockout then happened - I noticed that there was more to do on Thursday and Saturday nights than to head west to the greatest arena on earth. Then I had to save up money for a wedding last year. I just recently recovered from that expense.
That meant that a ticket package for this year was not a possibility for me. That means that I am one of the fans on the outside looking in right now. I've been fortunate to be able to go to one game in each of the series thus far, but no matter what angle I take, I have been unable to get tickets for the biggest round ever. Members of the media reasoned with fans calling into local radio programs that it's the team's duty of sorts to help support those who have supported it this season. I do understand that - but what about those who were there through the lean years where the Sens couldn't even muster up a season win total in the double digits? What about those who were there for the last seconds of the season before the lockout transformed the league?
I know, this is a world of "what have you done for me lately" kinds of attitudes.
So, I have decorated my apartment's front window, I have decorated my office and I have been wearing nothing but Sens jerseys I bought in the past and other Sens-themed clothing I have purchased more recently. I will keep trying Capital Tickets in the hopes that a ducat or two frees up some time before Saturday night rolls around. I will also keep trying to get a pair of tickets on eBay in spite of continued threats from Senators officials who claim to be "retracting" them. Thanks for looking out for me, guys, but if it's the only way I can get some, what am I supposed to do!?
So let's go Sens - the moment is now and it may never come back... so starting at 4:30pm this afternoon when I can bust out of the office, it's no holds barred, all Sens, all the time... and whether I can get to ScotiaBank Place or not, it's time to get caught up in this wonderful story and see where it takes us.
GO SENS GO!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
FRUSTRATION
I set myself up at 9:23am to access the capitaltickets.ca website in order to be prepared to join the mad dash for tickets at 10:00am. Instead of accessing the intended site, I was relegated to some "please hold" web page. It promised to keep trying to get me to my destination while warning me that I am not guaranteed tickets.
As the minutes ticked by I waited for the magical screen transformation - 54 minutes later, no such luck.
Maybe the phone will work. The lines must be so overwhelmed I can't even get a busy signal - all I get is thrown back to a dial tone!!!
OK - I'm almost resigned to the fact that I won't be able to attend the game without paying $1,000 for a ticket from the pigs... I mean scalpers outside ScotiaBank Place. Well, maybe not quite - I've made a $450 bid on a pair of tickets for game 4 on eBay. Fat chance I'll get them for under $500, but I'll try.
Maybe another shot at the phone number? Nope. Dial tone boomerang. Come on web site... Even TicketMaster wasn't THAT bad in the past. I often wonder exactly how robust capitaltickets.ca really is.
Follow-up: I finally got onto capitaltickets.ca at 10:35am. Surprise - no tickets available... not one. No wonder the site became available.
As the minutes ticked by I waited for the magical screen transformation - 54 minutes later, no such luck.
Maybe the phone will work. The lines must be so overwhelmed I can't even get a busy signal - all I get is thrown back to a dial tone!!!
OK - I'm almost resigned to the fact that I won't be able to attend the game without paying $1,000 for a ticket from the pigs... I mean scalpers outside ScotiaBank Place. Well, maybe not quite - I've made a $450 bid on a pair of tickets for game 4 on eBay. Fat chance I'll get them for under $500, but I'll try.
Maybe another shot at the phone number? Nope. Dial tone boomerang. Come on web site... Even TicketMaster wasn't THAT bad in the past. I often wonder exactly how robust capitaltickets.ca really is.
Follow-up: I finally got onto capitaltickets.ca at 10:35am. Surprise - no tickets available... not one. No wonder the site became available.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Holidays can be tough on a blogger
My last post was "on the eve of game 5 of the Eastern Conference semi-final". As we know by now, the Sens beat New Jersey in that fifth game, earning them a spot in round three.
I went on holidays that day. I got back yesterday.
As we also know once again, the Ottawa Senators disposed of the Sabres in five games. In the process of doing so they managed to vanquish the ghosts of playoff seasons past. Daniel Alfredsson has proven himself to be worthy of the Conn Smythe trophy.
After years of disappointment, the Ottawa Senators are finally the fourth round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! As of today, we are four days and change away from game one. We've never been there before. I have been on the roller coaster since day one, so I'm going to enjoy every moment of the coming weeks.
Now that I'm back I want to re-commit myself to documenting the days and weeks to come - one can never know if we'll ever be in this position again.
I went on holidays that day. I got back yesterday.
As we also know once again, the Ottawa Senators disposed of the Sabres in five games. In the process of doing so they managed to vanquish the ghosts of playoff seasons past. Daniel Alfredsson has proven himself to be worthy of the Conn Smythe trophy.
After years of disappointment, the Ottawa Senators are finally the fourth round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! As of today, we are four days and change away from game one. We've never been there before. I have been on the roller coaster since day one, so I'm going to enjoy every moment of the coming weeks.
Now that I'm back I want to re-commit myself to documenting the days and weeks to come - one can never know if we'll ever be in this position again.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Who knew?!
So here we are, on the eve of game 5. The fifth game of the eastern conference semi-final. And we're one win away from putting the Devils to rest for the summer. Who knew that the Ottawa Senators would be in this position?
And such a glorious position it is.
So glorious that a seasoned veteran like Martin Brodeur resorted to sandbox tactics on Wednesday night, deflecting attention on his bad play of late by criticizing Ray Emery for his weak play. That's hard to understand, given that Emery has lost only twice this post season, compared to five losses on Brodeur's resume thus far.
But that's OK - I see mind games like this every week out on the golf course. My father gave me mental strength training over a decade or two, ensuring that I am in some sort of "mental vault" if and when an opponent attempts to psyche me out when trying to make a critical shot or sink a game-clinching putt. I wouldn't have expected it from a guy like Martin Brodeur, and I wouldn't expect it would have any effect on Ray Emery or anyone else on the Senators team.
Will we win tomorrow night? Maybe. Hopefully. It's one game at a time now, and if we stick to the program, we'll be fine. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the good times we're having so far in the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After all, only one team will prevail, and it will be that team's fans who get to bask in the glow of success through the summer months. I know all too well what it's like to face disappointment, so carpe diem!
GO SENS GO! Bring the series win home tomorrow night, boys!!
And such a glorious position it is.
So glorious that a seasoned veteran like Martin Brodeur resorted to sandbox tactics on Wednesday night, deflecting attention on his bad play of late by criticizing Ray Emery for his weak play. That's hard to understand, given that Emery has lost only twice this post season, compared to five losses on Brodeur's resume thus far.
But that's OK - I see mind games like this every week out on the golf course. My father gave me mental strength training over a decade or two, ensuring that I am in some sort of "mental vault" if and when an opponent attempts to psyche me out when trying to make a critical shot or sink a game-clinching putt. I wouldn't have expected it from a guy like Martin Brodeur, and I wouldn't expect it would have any effect on Ray Emery or anyone else on the Senators team.
Will we win tomorrow night? Maybe. Hopefully. It's one game at a time now, and if we stick to the program, we'll be fine. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the good times we're having so far in the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After all, only one team will prevail, and it will be that team's fans who get to bask in the glow of success through the summer months. I know all too well what it's like to face disappointment, so carpe diem!
GO SENS GO! Bring the series win home tomorrow night, boys!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Sens to try and take strangle hold of New Jersey series
I remain cautiously optimistic.
Most people I know have asked me what I think about the playoffs so far. I knew after watching game one of the first series that Ottawa stood a great chance of winning the series because I had seen the Senators in their playoff infancy. Optimism was everywhere, but when push came to shove, it was too tough to overcome any given obstacle.
When it was determined that the Senators would face the New Jersey Devils, I was immediately thrown into a whirlwind of thought, not quite knowing what to think. Fortunately, it wasn't like the last time we were to face Toronto (who have failed to make the playoffs again for the second year in a row, but I digress...), where I knew it was a chance to put the Leafs in their place once and for all - but what if we lost? I didn't enjoy watching that series, because I knew that if we lost, the same emotions would come back once again. They did. I hate losing to the Leafs.
Will the Ottawa Senators manage to exorcise the Devils? A win tonight will go a long way to ensuring they do... but until the Devils are defeated once and for all, I will do nothing more than hope for the best. Anything else would be setting me up for disappointment, as Martin Brodeur and the veteran team from the Swamp can perform miracles - they have before.
At the end of the day, the Senators have been outplaying the Devils in this series. If they can keep it up, they will win. But until they do win, nothing else can be discounted - Brodeur will see to that.
It feels different this year, as compared to past ones, so who knows what might be around the corner.
GO SENS GO!!! And Scotiabank Place, watch out... tonight, I'M BACK!!!
Most people I know have asked me what I think about the playoffs so far. I knew after watching game one of the first series that Ottawa stood a great chance of winning the series because I had seen the Senators in their playoff infancy. Optimism was everywhere, but when push came to shove, it was too tough to overcome any given obstacle.
When it was determined that the Senators would face the New Jersey Devils, I was immediately thrown into a whirlwind of thought, not quite knowing what to think. Fortunately, it wasn't like the last time we were to face Toronto (who have failed to make the playoffs again for the second year in a row, but I digress...), where I knew it was a chance to put the Leafs in their place once and for all - but what if we lost? I didn't enjoy watching that series, because I knew that if we lost, the same emotions would come back once again. They did. I hate losing to the Leafs.
Will the Ottawa Senators manage to exorcise the Devils? A win tonight will go a long way to ensuring they do... but until the Devils are defeated once and for all, I will do nothing more than hope for the best. Anything else would be setting me up for disappointment, as Martin Brodeur and the veteran team from the Swamp can perform miracles - they have before.
At the end of the day, the Senators have been outplaying the Devils in this series. If they can keep it up, they will win. But until they do win, nothing else can be discounted - Brodeur will see to that.
It feels different this year, as compared to past ones, so who knows what might be around the corner.
GO SENS GO!!! And Scotiabank Place, watch out... tonight, I'M BACK!!!
Poor Mats Sundin
A small article in today's Ottawa Sun reports that Mats Sundin is "perturbed" that details of his gimpy hip were "forwarded" or "leaked" to a Toronto reporter. His agent speculates that it must be some kind of conspiracy as he's quoted as saying that "Mats wants to know if someone has a problem with him and wants to disrupt contract negotiations..."
Come on!
This game players and teams are playing in recent years - where injuries are disclosed as being "upper or lower body injuries" or the new "general body soreness" coined by Ted Nolan - is going a little too far.
While I can understand, to a point, why a team participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs might not want to present a target for opposition players to focus on any given player, I fail to see what the harm is in disclosing an injury to a player who is no longer skating.
Sure, Sundin's agent must fear that his cut of the Leaf captain's soon to be negotiated salary might end up shrinking a little, what happened to transparency and honesty? Teams aren't allowed to finalize trades until it is known that one player isn't damaged goods. As it stands, it's being presumed that Sundin will be ready to attend training camp. Had this story not "leaked out", would this injury that could prevent him from attending the opening of trading camp not be disclosed to potential suitors who might fork out over six million a year for him?
Go ahead and pout, Mats. Cry me a river, J.P. Barry - the story's out and you won't be able to con an extra million or two out of an unsuspecting team. Don't blame Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun - by reporting the news he was doing his job. Now go do yours.
Come on!
This game players and teams are playing in recent years - where injuries are disclosed as being "upper or lower body injuries" or the new "general body soreness" coined by Ted Nolan - is going a little too far.
While I can understand, to a point, why a team participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs might not want to present a target for opposition players to focus on any given player, I fail to see what the harm is in disclosing an injury to a player who is no longer skating.
Sure, Sundin's agent must fear that his cut of the Leaf captain's soon to be negotiated salary might end up shrinking a little, what happened to transparency and honesty? Teams aren't allowed to finalize trades until it is known that one player isn't damaged goods. As it stands, it's being presumed that Sundin will be ready to attend training camp. Had this story not "leaked out", would this injury that could prevent him from attending the opening of trading camp not be disclosed to potential suitors who might fork out over six million a year for him?
Go ahead and pout, Mats. Cry me a river, J.P. Barry - the story's out and you won't be able to con an extra million or two out of an unsuspecting team. Don't blame Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun - by reporting the news he was doing his job. Now go do yours.
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