Prelude - The 1995-1996 version of the Ottawa Senators sucked. They only won 18 games that hockey season. Since then, they have become one of the elite teams of the league, capped off with last year's Stanley Cup appearance. This year's team, has 16 wins already. So, when the current crop of Senators matches something the '96 team accomplished, well, its time to break out the crisis type talk.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Ottawa Senators are in the midst of their longest losing streak since 1996 (six games as of Saturday, Dec 1, 2007).
Issue
Nothing like a losing streak to get Ottawa fans all skittish and flustered. Their lack of playoff success has created a permanent sinking feeling among fans when times turn bad.
Is this losing streak serious? Well, Wayne Scanlan reported in Sunday's Ottawa Citizen that when winger Daniel Afredsson was asked if this losing streak is getting serious, he replied "It's professional sports. If you don't win, you suck."
Media is focusing on the defence not playing very well as of late. In particular, the play of Wade Redden.
So will they pull out of this slump. Of course they will. The schedule will get favourable for a week, as they play weaker teams, thereby putting out the fire and serious talk.
Point to say - "So, when do you think the Sens will turn this around?"
Follow up point - "Do you think it has something do with Redden's play?"
Get out of the conversation - "I'm sure the Sens will turn it around soon."
Backgrounder
The 1995-1996 Senators were the last Senators team not to make the playoffs. Since then Senators have moved into being one of the best teams year after year.
However, let's mitigate this point with one small point. As one television reporter (Sportsnet) aptly pointed out after the Senators lost to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, "who remembers that the Anaheim Ducks won only 2 games out of the 12 games they played during a stretch though December of last year? Nobody. That's because when it comes to the Ducks, all that anybody remembers is that they won the cup." Point being, people's memories are short come playoff time.
Not a Sens fan? Hope the gap between and the rest of the league closes? Well, interesting that the Leafs are now just 8 points behind the Senators. That's four wins. Then again, it is a long way off from catching them for points.
Link
Wade Redden is one of the stars of the Senators. He is a fan favourite but lately has had his share of detractors. Especially since the Sens signed him to a big money contract and let Zdeno Chara go to the Boston Bruins.
Sens past game results
Showing posts with label Senators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senators. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sens off to a Great Start
Sport - Hockey
Event - The Sens are off to a great start for the season. (Win vs losses).
Issue - Last year, the Senators had more losses than wins after the first 10 games played. This year, the Senators are in first place overall of the NHL standings 7 games into season with six (6) wins and one (1) loss.
At this point, the Senators are meeting pundits and fans expectations of being an elite team. The play of goalie Martin Gerber has had a lot to do with this.
Point to Say - "So, with their win over the Rangers this past weekend, the Senators are off to a great start!"
Follow up point - "They might just keep this up as the next 10 games are against teams that are not playing well."
Backgrounder
The next 10 games for the Sens are against the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, and Sabres. They play some of these teams multiple times.
A team is said to be not "playing well" if they have as many points as games played e.g. 5 points in 5 games. This is not the sign of an elite team in the league.
Stay Tuned!
The play of Martin Gerber is is creating a "situation" amongst Ottawa fans. Martin Gerber is the goalie signed by Ottawa last year to be the regular starter. He did not play as well as hoped so Ray Emery (the backup) became the team's starting goalie. Ray hurt his hand in preseason hockey this year. However, he is almost ready to come back. He may have trouble reclaiming his number 1 status of last year. Will he? We'll explore this question in a future blog. Stay tuned to future Sports and the City blogs for the next turn of events!
Links
UPDATE - You read it here first, but for more info check out the following article by ERIC DUHATSCHEK of the Globe and Mail published on October 15, 2007 at 3:17 PM EDT - Titled: The value of a good start
Latest Columns
NHL standings -
Senators schedule -
Event - The Sens are off to a great start for the season. (Win vs losses).
Issue - Last year, the Senators had more losses than wins after the first 10 games played. This year, the Senators are in first place overall of the NHL standings 7 games into season with six (6) wins and one (1) loss.
At this point, the Senators are meeting pundits and fans expectations of being an elite team. The play of goalie Martin Gerber has had a lot to do with this.
Point to Say - "So, with their win over the Rangers this past weekend, the Senators are off to a great start!"
Follow up point - "They might just keep this up as the next 10 games are against teams that are not playing well."
Backgrounder
The next 10 games for the Sens are against the Maple Leafs, Bruins, Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, and Sabres. They play some of these teams multiple times.
A team is said to be not "playing well" if they have as many points as games played e.g. 5 points in 5 games. This is not the sign of an elite team in the league.
Stay Tuned!
The play of Martin Gerber is is creating a "situation" amongst Ottawa fans. Martin Gerber is the goalie signed by Ottawa last year to be the regular starter. He did not play as well as hoped so Ray Emery (the backup) became the team's starting goalie. Ray hurt his hand in preseason hockey this year. However, he is almost ready to come back. He may have trouble reclaiming his number 1 status of last year. Will he? We'll explore this question in a future blog. Stay tuned to future Sports and the City blogs for the next turn of events!
Links
UPDATE - You read it here first, but for more info check out the following article by ERIC DUHATSCHEK of the Globe and Mail published on October 15, 2007 at 3:17 PM EDT - Titled: The value of a good start
Latest Columns
NHL standings -
Senators schedule -
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