A familiar (painful) SENSation

In the lotteries for happiness you have available to you rooting for a sports team isn’t an intelligent bet. In the NHL there is a 1/30 chance that your team is going to come out on top. Of course it isn’t quite a roll of the dice, some teams have overcome mere odds to be dominating forces. The Devils, Avalanche and Red Wings pretty much owned the 90s and turn of the century, the Oilers and Islanders had their chunk of the 80s, then before that Montreal owned just about everybody. Since their debut in the 92-93 season the modern incarnation of the Senators have had a pretty great record as a team. Sure they were last place in the NHL for 4 seasons running… but after that they’ve made the playoffs 10 times consecutively and have captured the presidents trophy and top place in their division numerous times. I probably didn’t “really” start becoming a Senators fan until 2000. When I was living in Newfoundland I actually was a fan of the New Jersey Devils. I used to play as them in NHLPA 93 for the Super Nintendo and oddly enough grew fond of the team. It was exciting watching them in the playoffs both as the bridesmaid to New York’s Cup and the big winner after that. Once I moved to Ontario I finally felt a connection of having a “Local Team” and of course that was Ottawa because Toronto isn’t a hockey team it’s an investment strategy. Since then there have been lots of highs during the regular season, especially devastating the Maple Leafs game after game, but the lows always came in the Playoffs, especially getting dumped by the underskilled Maple Leafs 4 times. Over the past 10 years we’ve developed the reputation as the “Choke Team”, all the talent all the momentum but no delivery in the playoffs.

This year it really felt different, from Game 1 against Pittsburgh the Senators have looked poised, determined and damn near unstoppable against 3 (debatably) “better” teams. We even demolished the #1 ranked Buffalo Sabres in 5 games. Now unfortunately the tides have turned for the worse. 2 Games in to the Stanley Cup Finals the Senators have yet to show up to play. The fire and ferocity that we’ve seen up to this point has seemed to have been snuffed by the suffocating defense of this Anaheim team. Saturday night’s game will undoubtedly be huge, it is realistically a “Must Win” although the same was probably true of last night’s game. Perhaps Ottawa can find a way to turn around and take it to the Ducks, but I am not blind to the fact that there is a possibility that Anaheim is simply the better team.

I really hope Ottawa can complete the Cinderella story. I want to see guys like Fisher, Neil and Corvo hoisting the cup. I want a Ottawa Senators 2007 Stanley Cup Champions hat. I want to be able to laugh at all the Leafs fans and say “Who’s choking now?” However, I think in the end I’m going to end up reflecting on another season of almost. That said I think the Senators really showed a lot of character this year regardless of the outcome and I am very proud of their accomplishments. If the cup isn’t to be this year, then I’ll hold on for another year when maybe it will happen. Thus is the cross we bare as fans. Good or bad they’re you’re team…. Until the Hamilton Predators start playing.

I wonder how many Senators flags we’ll see disappearing from cars next week?

We don't talk like we used to

Wow sorry blog it’s been a while. We don’t talk quite as much as we used to huh? This weekend TheWife and I were talking and we discussed how much time we spend on our computers watching tv/surfing the weeb/playing video games and we realized it’s way too much time. At least the Wife is using her time on her rather successful blog instead of just wasting time. Me I’m mostly wasting my time on the computer. I decided for this week I’m going to use my time more effectively. That includes doing some yardwork, running errands, doing laundry, playing guitar, working on my French, and in general just avoiding sitting on my duff doing nothing.

However, you’ll have to note that when the hockey game is on all bets are off! And I’ll be sitting with my duff planted firmly on the couch yelling at referees and cheering for goals. Definitely noticing a lot more Senator's flags around these days. *cough* Bandwagon *cough*. By the way, who are these guys and what did they do with our Senators?

Whoever they are I think I like them a lot better.

So you Pens fans were sayin'?

Don't worry I'm not going to start boasting or making any Jinxing statements about tomorrow night's game. I just thought I'd like to remind Penguins players that the Senators... they're not afraid of you. Not only do you have to contend with Alfredsson growing a pair of testicles you've also got to deal with players just stepping up their games. Corvo and Neil both come to mind. Corvo already has a pair of goals and Neil scored a beauty on the break away in the first game. Everyone on Ottawa is showing up for their games, and in Game 3 when we weren't so stellar, Rayzor came through with the big stops. The series ain't over yet, but if the Penguins want to stay alive they're going to have to contend with a Sens squad that's firing on all cylinders.

See you Ottawa tomorrow Crosby, get a good rest. You'll need it.

Cardiomygod

Man! Once again to anyone who attributes my not-being-fatness to “genes” or “metabolism” need only take a quick peek at my schedule this week to realize otherwise. Tonight I’m going to be hitting the gym for the first time in a while (given a mass build-up of guilt) due to illness over the last couple of weeks. I’ll probably do about 45 minutes of weights and 45 minutes of cardio on the Elliptical. So that’s day 1, I’ll probably do chest/shoulders/tri’s as legs will not be an option. Tomorrow at lunch I’ll be playing hockey for 1.5 hours with my boss and co-workers. Wednesday I will likely hit the gym again at lunch for back/bi’s. Thursday is 1.5 hours of hockey at lunch and another hour in the evening. Then on Friday another one hour game after work.

Putting in about 5 hours of hockey this week should be good given my recent drop-off in offense presence. 1 goal over the past 2 months of hockey is pretty pathetic since I play wing. I’m hoping I’ll get at least one goal this week at least. I’ve been missing a lot of shots by not only shooting them over the net but over the boards. I’m cutting down my Sherwood hockey stick because I’ve noticed it’s longer than my other sticks. So right now I’m blaming that for my recent scoring draught.

It’s easier than blaming it on my complete lack of skill.

Aye aye Captain!

Wow. So who is this crazy Swede?

For years now I've been a huge Alfredsson critic. The fact of the matter is I have on many an occasion said, "Trade his ass!" Personally I feel I've been justified, last year Alfredsson's playoff tally was 1 goal and 3 assists in 10 playoff games. Come on! You're the fricken Captain! Well that's what I've always said...

Now I'm changing my tune like a fan-boy bandwagon jumper. The thing is I knew Alfredsson was capable of more, and now he's showing it. About freakin' time for sure but hey, better late than never. Personally I thought Alfredsson absolutely demolishing Roberts with a bodycheck was a symbolism that transcended the scoreboard. Series is going well... who knows how it'll end, but if this keeps up it'll be all over.

Alfredsson riding that little bitch Armstrong was also a beautiful scene

Lucky bounces and flukes do not a comeback make

Well I, like LosRicos, wasn't completely surprised that the Pittsburgh Penguins took down the second game of the playoffs between the two teams. Honestly though I thought the Sens still looked like the better team. Ottawa hit at least 3 posts and had a couple of shots that woulda-coulda-shoulda. Would I like to have gone up 2 games? Of course. Do I think it's time to pee our pants? Not exactly, all the same it's important that we take down this next one tomorrow night. If we play like we did today minus the first period, I think it's very likely we'll win tomorrow's game. I make no promises though.

Speaking of the game Hats-off to Alfie. I've been one of Alfredsson's staunchest critics in the past decade and have often said he needs to be traded. Actually I'm a huge fan of Heatley for captain. However, these first two games Alfredsson has been stellar. He might not be lighting up the scoreboard but he's definitely playing with heart, and I'm loving that. Who knows how it'll turn out... fingers crossed.

Thank God it's a best of 7 and not a best of 3

1 down 15 to go

Well well well. I do recall telling the Penguins fans that if they were expecting an Ottawa Senators marquee "Choke" they might be surprised. Little did I know that Ottawa would not only outplay Pittsburgh but would in fact destroy them. Our defense were stifling, the forecheck was devastating and second and third string players were lighting up the scoreboard. The game was riddled with penalties and I'll admit the Crosby goal could've been allowed, but in the end I don't think any of it would've mattered. The Senators came out with something to proove and they proved it. We're not going to lay down and take it. Saturday's game should be interesting and I think Pittsburgh will bounce back but I think it would only take a first period push by Ottawa to really unnerve these kids. All-in-all I couldn't have expected much better in an opening game. Great jobs sens. Go deep!

We have only begun to fight

Flightless Birds of Fancy

I am quite surprised to find an American sports writer calling Senators VS Penguins in 5. I'm not even that confident. Of course if you read the comments attached to the article you'll see a huge army of Penguins fans quickly turn this around and say that the Penguins will destroy the Sens.

What is there reasoning for this defeat? The regular season series and the choke factor. I personally find it funny how these teams that rarely make the playoffs can say, "We're going to beat the Senators because they choke in the playoffs." Well while you're jerking yourselves in your 200 dollar Reebok Crosby jersey you might be forgetting a couple of things. The "Former Stanley Cup Champions" last year might've though they'd take out the Choking Senators... until they got spanked in 5. I'm not denying that we choke in some big games but the Penguins are missing a couple of big factors.

We don't care about you. That's right Pens fans, we've never been beaten by you. Leafs, Sabres, Devils.... we got some history. The Penguins, not so much. Not to mention our wet-behind-the-ears goalie. Not so wet any more. Oh ya and Crosby? We got Heatley, not too shabby either. I pretty much think we got you covered in every aspect. So you Penguin fans have yourself a great day tomorrow, go to bed with dreams of choking Senators, and a failing Emery in your head, but Wednesday you're coming to the capitol of Canada.... and we're going to play some fucking hockey!

CAN I HEAR A HOO-WAH!

I have failed, but at least the Leafs might lose

Well, I finally fell off the rails. I could make the excuse of "Sick as a Dog" but I could've used that excuse a week ago. But anyway I made a good run at it. I did my two weeks and now I'm going to simply try to post often. No big glorious declarations, I'm just gonna post my ass off.

Anyway looks like your Ottawa Senators will be taking the hometown advantage away from those nasty penguins. Now we just gotta see a dominating destruction of Pittsburgh in the first round.

Marc-Andre Fleury is ranked 28th among goalies in the NHL, Emery is ranked 14th so goaltending goes to Ottawa. Pittsburgh has the 5th highest Powerplay in NHL, Ottawa 15th. Points for Pittsburgh. Ottawa has the 8th place Penalty Kill, Pittsburgh, 17th. Ottawa again.

Ottawa has 5 players with over 20 goals, Pittsburgh 5... we'll call it a draw.

Okay stats suck... we're going to kick their asses and Crosby is going to cry like a girl.

Go sens go golf leafs golf

Fine a Cliffhanger it is!

Well Thursday night's loss to Pittsburgh pretty much leaves us with one game to win hometown advantage against the Penguins. However there is still more pressure on the Penguins as they have to win their game on Saturday night, if they lose it doesn't matter what Ottawa does.

According to NHL.com, "The Bruins (35-40-6) have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including matching season-high five-game losing streaks. Boston, however, leads the season series with the Senators 4-3-0, including a 3-2 win in the last meeting March 27." Why we've had such difficulty against such a mediocre team I don't know, perhaps it was the whole trading Chara thing.

In the Pittsburgh camp, "Pittsburgh is 4-1-2 versus the Rangers this season, but lost 2-1 in the most recent matchup on March 19. New York is 13-2-4 in its last 19 games and clinched a playoff berth with a 3-1 win over Montreal on Thursday."

Sounds like Pittsburgh has the advantage on Saturday night but that will remain to be seen. A lot of my co-workers are thinking the Pens will take the Sens in the first round. I wholeheartedly argue this point stating that despite our less than stellar playoff performance we have a whole heck of a lot more than Pittsburgh. And this year not being in 1st place we don't have any pressure on us.

For the Leafs fans the playoffs start tonight, except it's a best of 1.

Oh baby she's a-comin'

Well there you have it folks. Two games left for our beloved Senators 2007 Regular season. I think I can pretty much be quoted verbatim for saying, "I don't want Ottawa to finish in 1st place in their division, I don't want the added pressure." Well there we go I guess I get my wish. All the same I rather they had home ice advantage.

To do that they simply need to do one thing, beat Pittsburgh on Thursday. Pittsburgh are two points behind Ottawa in the standings so by beating Pittsburgh on Thursday Ottawa will widen the gap between them to 3 or 4 points, then even if Ottawa loses and Pittsburgh wins their last games Ottawa is safe. I still haven't called Rogers about getting a temporary HD box, but it doesn't look like such a package exists. Woe is me! Not having cable I don't even get TSN so my plans of hosting all the games here might fall through. I'll keep you posted.

By the by, I include some Leaf info in there too, cause a playoffs isn't a playoffs unless we put out those stinking Leafs!

Upgraditis

Post #12

My Wife just does not get the male need to upgrade. I don't understand the need for 20 pairs of shoes. Men and women are just different inthat aspect.

Last night when playing paintball I was thinking I could use a new barrel control bore to tighten up my accuracy. When I was playing hockey on Thursday I was thinking I could really use a nice composite fibre-lite stick. When I rollerblade.... Okay my rollerblades are the coolest shit ever so they don't need any more love.

Regardless every hobby I have and every toy I own I always have a desire to pimp it out, supe it up or upgrade it to maximum performance. Of course being a realistic guy I know I shouldn't and most times I don't but I can't keep my inner tinkerer from wanting more speed, more finesse and damnit more power

Insert Tim the toolman taylor barking here

Practice makes slightly less horrible

Generally speaking when kids are growing up parents always instill the value of trying hard to get results. Ya gotta give your all to get the most out of your effort. I find that’s not always the truth. Rollerblading for example is something I’ve been doing about 5 years now and I still perform at about a 1.5 year level. Hockey is relatively new to me other than a 2 year stint about 5 years ago. I’m now playing approximately 3 times a week and despite the fact that my game gets incrementally better I’m still missing passes, skating awkwardly and whiffing on shots that should be all but buried.

It sucks to be at a stage of life when most people have already peaked at the activities of choice and you’re still trying to learn. It scares me to realize that however low the level I’m at right now is, it might in fact be the apex.

Oh well as doom and gloom as that all sounds I’m feeling in much better shape than I’ve been in years and I’m having a lot of fun playing hockey, especially since unlike rollerblading a large number of my friends and co-workers play as well. Worse case scenario I always have Sunday nights which are full of guys who are older and in some cases even less skilled than I.

Perhaps you parents should teach you “No matter how much you suck there’s always someone who sucks more”

Weekend of Conquest... more or less

Well from Thursday of last week to Sunday of this week I was having myself a complete guygasm of activity. Thursday night was hockey. And Thursday night's hockey game usually goes poorly for me. I'm generally outskilled by most people on the ice and spend most of my time trying not to fall down. However on a break out of my team's end the left-winger launched a pass to meet me right before the blue line (to avoid the ol' 2 line pass) and send me on a break-away. A last minute deke to my backhand and a quick flip I shoveled one into the top of the net for my first goal in about 7 games.

Friday night saw me at the local paintball field on cheapie night. First time using the Wrath since I've had it tech'ed by NPS I was excited to see what she was capable of. I was not disappointed. Game 1 of 7 vs 7 speedball I took out two players before getting taken out at the mid field. Game 2 I took out the sole defender on the right side of the field and went on to complete my first run through to take out 6 other players. That's the entire team for those keeping track. The highlight of the night saw me sprinting across the field to dive over the snake and take out an enemy player while in midair. I'm a hotdog what can I say.

Saturday night was poker night in suburbia and in a tournament of 20-some people I roughed up the competition on the final table to pull in a large stack of chips then with a lot of tight-aggressive play I managed to make it all the way to the second place finish and $110 bucks in my pocket.

Sunday was my late night hockey game and my legs were still aching from Friday night's paintball acrobatics. Once I got on the ice I ended up getting switched from the light team (definitely the better group) to the slightly undergunned dark team. Surprisingly enough I held my own, picking off a pass from a coworker to turn the goalie inside-out on a break-away, slamming home a juicy rebound from the opposition's goalie and finally one-timing a perfect pass from the back of the net to log my first hat-trick. All in all it was a very successful couple of days. Although I'm looking forward to getting reaquainted with my wife who I've abandoned for the past 4 nights (bad husband!)

People who say that 2nd place is the first loser are probably the same people that get 5th place