There is no joy in Bytown, mighty Alfie has struck out

Prelude -
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Senators yesterday:
The series stood 2 games to zero, with but one meaningful game to play,
And then when Crosby scored his first, and Staal did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Alfie could but get a whack at that--
We'd put up even money now, with him in the game."

Heatley was there, at times, .. well in spirit at least,
Spezza skated hard, but you'd be hard pressed to see,
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of the Sens coming back.

But wait... there.. the thunderous rumble of a puck
As mighty Alfie returned for one last shot.
And fans cheered lustily, as they looked for rabbit in the hat,
but alas, fans, hope now sits firmly with the Habs.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Sens lose to Pittsburgh 4-1.

Point to say - "What happened to the Senators this year?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Ottawa should make any roster changes over the summer? "

Get out of the conversation - "Did you see Trevor on TV yesterday? What's with the hair?"

Backgrounder
15-2. That is how the Senators started the year. Ottawa Citizen columnist Wayne Scanlan compared them to the great Montreal Canadiens of the 70's that only lost 10 games one year. Boy did this shoe drop. Goaltending will be sighted as the biggest fault. But look for something bigger to come out during the summer. Something happened that made either stop believing in the little things that win games, or they just failed to use the system the coach wanted. The pieces were there for a repeat visit to the final.

This lost season pretty much cinches how this franchise will wear the choke collar for a while to come. They should have had an arsenal of Stanley Cups over the past six years. Alas, one visit to the final is all they have to show for it. So, the analogy to the mighty Casey At the Bat poem is apt. Poor Sens fans. There is no joy in Bytown this day.

Links
Alfie attempts a spirited comeback.
Full games details can be found here.