O Canada! > Canadian > Canadian Chat > [Hockey] 2011-2012 Ottawa Senators Season Thread

reply to Kardinal

Re: [Hockey] 2011-2012 Ottawa Senators Season Thread

reply to Kardinal
Well, Bell wouldn't accept a challenge so he got away. A strong effort by the Senators but an equally strong effort by the Ducks and Hiller. The score was close, and it was a close game, and Neil got his 8th of the season in his 700th career game. Still having a great road trip. Onwards to LA and Phoenix, before returning home for the ASG with 5 Senators in the proceedings.

PRAISE ALFIE!
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Mark Bell is back in the NHL?...he plays for the Ducks??...what's with the Leafs/Ducks swapping players lately?

They didn't swap him. Toronto acquired him from the Sharks in a trade, he played for Toronto in the NHL, then the AHL, then Hartford Wolf Pack (now Connecticut Whale) before going to Kloten of the SEL for two years. He's been in the AHL in Syracuse before being called up for the game against Ottawa.

For a guy who was #8 overall in his draft year, and who had an amazing run with the 67s, he's not lived up to expectations and has only himself to blame for his mistakes. He did pretty well in his first few years in Chicago, but something must have made them want to trade him to SJ and he's not been able to stick with an NHL team since then.
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i knew he "disappeared overseas" for a bit...my comment about "Leafs and Ducks" was more about the players on either team being with the other team before, not an official trade...it reminds me of people calling the Flames the Fleafs after the Phaneuf trade.
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reply to Kardinal

I think the Sens themselves are surprised how well they've played.

I don't think anyone expected them to be sniffing at a playoff spot at the all star break, let alone the solid position they're in.

One thing to point out, the Sens have played quite a few more games than most other teams.
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GO LEAFS GO!

reply to Kardinal
The Sens have had a pretty tough stretch, playing 6 games in 9 days and in three different time zones, and against some pretty tough opponents (Winnipeg-L, Toronto-W, San Jose-W, Anaheim-L, Los Angeles-L, Phoenix-L.......no bottom feeders here!), but their play in the last 15 games is still well over 500 so I'll take it just fine. The points are in the bank vs having games in hand that have to be won to make up ground. The team is playing far above everyone's expectations, and if Paul Maclean isn't in consideration for the Jack Adams it'll be a shame and a shock, given what just about everyone was thinking would be the lot for this team this season.

Now we're gearing up for the ASG and the five Senators being on display, including our beloved Swedish captain. The Canal is currently closed due to rain today, but the temperature is heading back down for the next few days even if the forecast for Friday is plus 2 (I hope not!). I think I caught a note on SportsNet that they are broadcasting Hockey Central from the Canal from Thursday to Sunday, but that might be dependant on conditions.

PRAISE ALFIE!
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All of us do time in the gutter, dreamers turn to look at the cars
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reply to Kardinal
After missing 18 games due to a puck to the throat during a game on December 9th, Patrick Wiercioch returned to the Binghamton Senators lineup last night for their 3-2 win over the Albany Devils. Jim O'Brien had his third straight game winning goal, and André Petersson had the other two goals.
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All of us get lost in the darkness, dreams learn to steer by the stars
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whats the matter sens fans? off the bandwagon already?

6 game futility streak and you get your asses handed to you by the maple laffs 5-0 and not even a comment from any of you?

oh well at least youre not the habs fans. those guys should hang themselves this year.

reply to Kardinal
There has been a lot of talk in other threa....oh wait, I don't feed trolls. Nevermind.

reply to Kardinal
The last few games the team has been playing reasonably well but not getting the key plays and goals when they needed them (well, other than the loss to the blue team....that wasn't a good game). Alfie had been playing well, but he was doing almost all the scoring so things weren't going well.

Tonight was Chris Phillips' 1000th career game, all in Ottawa (and he's only 34 -- amazing!) and he got two goals tonight, including the game winning goal. Spezza had the other two, and butt-of-many-comments-these-days Bobby Butler was on the top line for the first time in many games and got two assists on Spezza's two goals.

The stats guys are still checking to see if the last 2 goal game that Phillips had was indeed his 800th (against the Penguins in 2009), as some of the media were musing it might have been but couldn't remember for sure.

PRAISE ALFIE!
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All of us get lost in the darkness, dreams learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter, dreamers turn to look at the cars
Join Team Helix

And the Sens fans come alive!

j/k, making fun of the anon-troll...
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GO LEAFS GO!

reply to Kardinal

And seems to often hold true, anecdotally at least.

Sens leading 3-0 in Tampa with 6:30 left in the game

Spezza with 2 goals (and 3 points) tonight