Strike! I'm Out!

UPDATE: As I'm posting this, the Sens are getting destroyed by the Bruins 6 - 0 in the early minutes of the 3rd.

Call it laziness. Or even the back to work and reality kick in the ass. Or a hockey strike. Yes that's it. I'm on an official back to work, lazy ass, dreaming of turkey hockey strike. That loss to the Leafs was the beginning of the strike and will continue until they win. During this period I will not go out of my way to try to watch this team slog their way through a game. I will, however, keep up with my regular readings and comment with the help of said articles and judge the team based on box scores. As unfair as analyzing on stats alone might be...that's the way its gonna be.

Strike: day 11

Great news! Kovalev is out for a week! Jimmy O gets the call again to replace the injured winger (who has been playing with a bobo for a minute). I've seen some folks yearning for Locke to get a call up to provide some O in the Big O. There's a reason why he played in the Habs farm system for all those years. Its because he's a great AHLer. That's about it folks! Nothing else to cry or worry about here.

Meanwhile Lehner is now the proud owner of a Greyhound frequent traveller card commuting back and forth between Ottawa and Bingo. I saw that he might get a start this week even though Mike Brodeur is backing up tonight. I've seen MacDonalds managers that have a better grasp on their team. This.makes.absolutely.no.friggin.sense.

Union Due Arrears

I had this itching feeling about that gold medal game last week. Once I noticed that Marcus Foligno was playing like Nick Foligno, the end was near. I missed the first 8 minutes of the third...late night chores (somebody has to wash the dishes) and probably some show about weddings was on TV (can't blame my fiancé for my inability to track time). As a Canadian hockey fan I was happy with the 3-0 lead. Who wouldn't be? But in the back of my twisted little mind I needed some excitement with a dab of drama. I got it in maple leaf shaped spades. Drama turned into shock. Shock turned into disbelief. Disbelief turned into a bunch of Russian kids yelling shout outs to their moms in their native tongue into the camera. And then the vodka.

Thoughts on Shuffle

The Senator from the NHL's Guardian Project revealed!! Strength: 20 year old, 170lbs Swede. Weakness: A one man forecheck by the opposing team (photo via coloriage-enfant.eu)

- Who would win in a fight? The NHL Super Heroes or Alpha Flight sans Wolverine (who is a reserve due to his citizenship, bub)? On the one hand you have third rate supers and on the other...third rate supers. Result: the most epic crossover mega failure in comicdom. And for some strange reason, the Bettman destroys both teams and colonizes the southern US to save humanity. The only hockey heroes left? The Penguin and Capital who will be forced to mate and create a super marketing tool of evil duper hero.

- Karlsson is Ottawa's rep for the all-star game which is cool. He'll kill it in the "giveaways that lead to deflating goals" competition. Joining him will be Kovalchuk, Thornton and Duncan Keith. Spezza is a reserve for this display of skills since he's still injured.

- If I see one more sign that has "Eh" on it made by a Canadian at an international competition, I might go Rypien on someone.

- So when is Kuba getting traded? Oh! He makes that much a season? That's tough to trade. At least he'll be off the cap after this year. He's signed until when??!!

- Wellwood signed with the Blues after his stint over in Mother Russia. Ottawa Senators, consider this opportunity officially missed. Kinda funny that the Blues have a growing population of former Leafs, and are in the same position this year.

- Speaking of the Leafs, they are tied in points with the Sens, but get out of the Northeastern basement thanks to one less game played. Looks like the Sens are in the running to compete for the Daigle Cup!

-MP

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

...Get Those Heads-a-Rollin'. (Photo via loonwatch.com )

The Leafs and Sens played nationally on the CBC last night, so I watched the Winter Classic. Even though Ottawa haven't played on a Saturday night in what seems like an eternity (especially on the CBC), they found a way to show the country that they are a bottom tier team that is close to hitting rock bottom. 5 unanswered goals by the Leafs to start the game. How can you possibly come back from such a huge deficit?

This might feel like an ongoing theme throughout my posts over the last few weeks but....Kuba. Is this shit for real? Is Clouston trying to get his ass fired? He's a giveaway machine that doesn't understand the fundamentals of defense. Speed and efficiency are not a part of his lexicon. Is Wade Redden available on the cheap?

Chris "The Truth" Neil

Here's the line on Neil's game last night: 10:10 TOI, 3 shots, 5 hits and 3 penalties for 17 PIMs. The whole world knows that he's a warrior and I sometimes wonder how much other teams would love to have him on their roster. If you haven't read the Ottawa Sun article titled "Neil calls out teammates ... again", here's the brief breakdown:

The frustration level is definitely there. I think you need every one to compete hard, finish checks, get pucks in deep.

The simple truth: get out there, bring the highest level of competition and do the work to make you successful.

You need every one on the same page. We didn't have that tonight. I think the first period and a half in Columbus, we didn’t have that either.

The fundamentals of a successful hockey club: be prepared and stay focused for 60 minutes. Not a ridiculous claim.

It’s like you think you have a switch and you can turn it on, but it doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to go out and work hard every shift.

Back in the good old days, they had a "score on demand" switch which left when most of the talent was purged or walked away. This theoretical switch needs to be on when the National anthems are getting their run through.

Obviously, the other team is going to have some chances as well, but it’s how you rebound from them. We weren’t able to do that tonight.

This is the story of the season in a puckshell.  Neil is know for throwing bombs via fists and hits. Last night he dropped some serious truth bombs. I don't see these post game comments as calling out his teammates. Everyone knows what he was talking about and someone needed to say it.

Wherein Melnyk is Losing his Friggin' Mind

You can imagine where Melnyk's head is at right now. I heard from a friend who knows someone that works at Scotiabank Place that the Owner will clean shop, meaning Murray and Clouston, during the All-Star break. I know, I know...the whole "I heard some juicy news from a friend's friends second cousin who works at the arena who happened to walk by the dressing room at the right time" bullshit is lame, but I kinda believe it. Melnyk is losing patience fast and these changes are inevitable.

When the Sens were the Beast in the East, the team was built on defense. As much as pundits harped on Jacques Martin, his defensive system was effective. The only knock on the team was the goal tending. They were dominating teams by forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their mistakes. The table has turned. Opposing teams are doing this to your favorite club and there is no quick solution to remedy this.

Gimme What I Want

I heard a rumor. Murray has received calls for both Phillips and Fisher from interested teams. I say pull that trigger and get 'er done (no trade and no movement clauses pending of course). This would be the perfect time to get the youth movement started and give them the experience they need to get this team back on the right track. Once Kovalev, Ruutu and Leclaire are off the books, there will be more opportunity for the kids to get in that lineup...Can't believe that Kuba is under contract next year. Besides buying him out, what else can be done? Pull a Sather and throw him in the minors. Oh man I would love to see that.

Next game is against the Blackhawks in Chi-Town. O'Brien and Brodeur have been sent back down which, in my opinion, is a mistake. This might be a temporary assignment since they have 5 days off. That's what I'm hoping.

-MP

Comeback Futility



(photo via bjjafter40.com )


Great game in Columbus last night. I had written them off as dead after the 3rd Blue Jacket goal but they thankfully proved me wrong. Alfie had a great game netting the equalizer in the 3rd and it looked like he could've scored a few more. Kuba also looked great in the press box. I read that he'll be back in the lineup tonight against the Leafs while Lee will be the healthy scratch. Ruutu is also sitting out to allow O'Brian to play in his second career game.

Minny Jimmy was by far the most aggressive Ottawa forward. He skated hard, took shots and fought for the puck. Now I'm no NHL coach but I never like seeing the bench shortened with your best line taken out of the equation. The Jimmy-Jesse-Zachy line were creating chances all night. Common sense would dictate more ice time. Clouston sense says no. I would expect a rookie to bobble the puck in OT but Kovalev played that role, which ended up being the game winning giveaway. The team will take the point on the road.

Also caught the Canada/Sweden tilt which was very entertaining. The Swedes deserved that win since they took it to the Canadians for the better part of the third and OT. Lehner made the key saves (and also let in some questionable goals). The future looks bright for the Senators with Lehner and Cowan in the wings.

Leafs are in Ottawa on this first day of 2011. A perfect way to start off the New Year.

All the best to you and yours in the year before the 2012 apocalypse. Hope you all have a successful year.

-MP

New Year's Resolutions (Besides Scoring More Goals)

UPDATE: According to the official Ottawa Senators twitter account, O'Brien and Lee are in, Kuba and Ruutu are out. Oh hell yeah!!

Kovalev let Murray know that he's doing a great job...no changes necessary (photo via randomjottings.net)

My plan to attend the game on Wednesday didn't come to fruition, which ended up not being such a huge loss (pun somewhat intended). As is always the case during the holidays, friends and family are first in line. 2nd is beer (which can be mixed with holiday option #1). 3rd is the World Junior Championship. And last but not least is pretty much everything else, from hockey to sleep.

All I saw from Wednesday night's game were the highlights from NHL.com and it looked like the Sens had their chances. I also cruised through the World O Senators blogs to get some background for this post and the conclusion is a 2 part breakdown: missed opportunities and weak defensive play.

It looked like Elliott let in a few softies with no thanks given to his first line of defense. Kuba....what more can be said about the high priced veteran? He brings nothing to this team except giveaways and turnovers.

Well it's time to go over a few New Year's resolutions for your favorite Ottawa based pro team located in Kanata:

Filip Kuba

Work on hitting offensive players from the opposing team, remember that clearing the puck out of the defensive zone is a good tactic and stop with the giveaways.

Mike Fisher

Take the rest of the season off to get healthy and realize that he's a 3rd line centre getting primo minutes. Be thankful.

Chris Kelly

Thank the good people at Easton for the magical sticks of goal scoring. Get more.

Alexei Kovalev

Ease off the saxophone practice and work on attacking the offensive zone alone against 5 defenders.

Jason Spezza

Stop crying himself to bed while clutching his Heatley plush doll and repeating "I'm a creative guy and those turnovers are gonna happen."

Cory Clouston

Buy a Hugo Boss suit and hire Ray Emery as his personal fashion advisor.

Erik Karlsson

Continue to embarrass the forwards on the team. Out: Two and a Half Men. In: CSI: Byward Market.

Brian Lee

Start a food vendor business at Scotiabank Place featuring the Lee Me Down: a battered deep fried burger topped with jalapeno cheese and chicken fingers (preferably dinosaur shaped) and 2 regular burger patties used as buns.

Daniel Alfredson

Keep doing what he does and continue to bleed out profusely for this team...and not complain about it. Can someone give this guy the fuckin Order of Canada already?

Bryan Murray

Get a nice letter of recommendation from Melnyk and ask players to give recommendations on LinkedIn.

New Year's Eve Showdown

Columbus is on tap tonight with Jim O'Brien getting the call up to play. So I'm assuming that Mr. Smith will hang out with Lee in the press box and Jimmy O will get his shot. Looking forward to seeing the kid play.

Also looking forward to the Canada / Sweden tilt today which will showcase the future of Ottawa's last line of defense: Lehner from Sweden and Cowen from Canada.

-MP

A Costly Win

Raise your hands if you have a long term shoulder injury? (photo via CBC )

According to the the news out there in the webosphere, Spezza is out long term with an upper body injury (shoulder) for at least 6 weeks. So what does this mean for Ottawa's first line centre? Tons more time to spend with his loved ones during the holidays and comedy movie marathons to work on his laughter execution. So what does this mean for the Ottawa Senators? One lucky farm boy will get a chance to impress the big wigs in the big city. And your options are: Locke, Bass and O'Brien. My choice would be O'Brien. I heard that he picked up his game and the Tim Murray interview praising the "lost" prospect during yesterdays game kinda sold it for me. He's also 6'2" - 200 lbs. But according to NHL.com and the Ottawa Sun, Bass is getting the call.  All we are saying, is give Jim a chance. Dude hasn't played one regular season game and he's been with the franchise for 5 years (Bingo for 2 full season including this year).

Karlsson : Priceless

Don't think I've ever seen this on any Sens team since the inaugural season: a defenseman as the leading scorer. I don't have an issue with it, makes me wonder what the forwards are doing in terms in offense. Pessimism aside, Karlsson is an all star in the making and without a doubt the puck moving dman we've been waiting for all these years. He's the catalyst for the offense and is surprising teams with his skill. Can't wait to see what Byslma says about number 65 during the intermission in HBO's 24.

Getting Elliott's Full Value

Elliott played his best game since Leglass went down by delivering a career game. He made 44 saves for the win and almost got a shutout (I'm blaming someone on twitter for claiming a shutout after the second intermission. Can't remember who it was but shame on them. Speaking of twitter, this might be a sign I'm getting old but what's up with some of the hockey fans in twitville and the constant need to tweet profanity? Don't get it and a quick unfollow usually does the trick). So, no shutout for Elliott. This seems to be the life of Brian this year: close but not close enough. I am cool with Crosby getting the goal to continue his streak. It would be nice to see him ride this for a long stretch. Don't see him breaking Gretzky's season point streak which stands at 51 games. Not impossible, but will be a challenge for the Kid.

Paying for Not Going to the Game

I was planning on attending last night's game against the Pens but I was faced with a tough choice: go to Scotiabank Place and miss a large part of the WJC Canada - Russia game or stay at home to watch both games and prevent getting a second mortgage on my condo to buy beer at the arena. Well I stayed home and it was somewhat bittersweet. But the beer was cheap and that makes any red blooded guy happy. I will try to check out the Carolina game on Wednesday if the price is right.

Quickies

Clouston wore the same tie for the first time since I've been tracking the Cloustonian Tie Color Effect. Yellow with black dots now sits at 1 W1 L.

Kuba looked terrible again. And to make matters worse, he's playing with Gonchar.

The Letang hit on Spezza didn't look intentional but the fans rained down with the boos every time he touched the puck. I'm sure the chorus of disapproval really hurt his feelings.

On the flip side, the Cooke elbow to Shannon's face wasn't even called. Shannon got a penalty for jumping on Letang after Spezza fell into the boards. Cooke got off scott free.

Ottawa is 4 point behind the 8th place Bruins, who have 4 games in hand.

The Leafs beat the Devils last night, which doesn't mean jack to anyone (except maybe Boston).

Kuba looked really terrible last night.

Didn't notice Cowen that much during Canada's 6-3 win over Russia.

-MP