Senators beat Ducks 4-3 and finally win a shootout and a road game
Sens Heroes: Jason Spezza, Jonathan Cheechoo
The Cheechoo train continues along its tracks since finding them again in San Jose, and hopefully he can bring that success back to Ottawa when the team returns home. His 1G and 2A in the four most recent games almost doubled his point totals so far, and his all-around play has been much more effective. Spezza had also been questioned for his output, but his two points against the Ducks and a resoundingly strong effort showed that he didn't sacrifice his offensive abilities for defensive responsibility; he's just got to find a way to strike a balance more regularly.
Sens Zeroes: Brian Elliott
It's unfortunate that Elliott falls into this category; he allowed three goals, one of which was just a bad-luck bounce off the stantions, and ended up saving 33 of 36 shots on the night--some of which were his patented strong glove saves. Still, the second and third goals were both very stoppable. More importantly, each one was less than a minute after Ottawa scored, making it tough for the Sens forwards to establish much momentum.
Sens Killers: Joffrey Lupul-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Combining for 3G and 2A on the night, the Ducks' top line were far and away the most potent Anaheim players on the ice. Lupul was physical all night--including his hit-from-behind hit on Anton Volchenkov--while Perry and Getzlaf were playing that game that just pisses you off because it works so well.
In Clouston's good books: Jesse Winchester
The head coach continues to show his faith in Winchester by playing him all over, and it's no wonder why. Although he had no powerplay time, he was huge on some of the Senators' penalty kills. He also had some ice time in overtime, and was Ottawa's best faceoff man with a 67 percent (10-for-15) success rate. Although he's not putting up big numbers, the small things he does well he does very well, and they're important to the team's success.
In the doghouse: Peter Regin
After his recent scratching, Regin hasn't really instilled much confidence that it shouldn't happen again. You've got to love his speed, but he just can't keep the puck in tight. He was, once again, the Senators' least-utilized player, with only 6:05 TOI tonight. As popular as he was with Cory Clouston in the AHL, he's obviously not trusted in the big leagues.
And now for something completely different: Five powerplays, including two 5-on-3 opportunities
For a team that's the most penalized in the league and which hasn't been awarded a tremendous number of powerplays, the Senators sure can't say they didn't have their chances on this night. Spezza's powerplay goal, the only one Ottawa had, was shortly after the end of the first two-man advantage. Even at only 1-for-5, the Senators still had eleven powerplay shots-on-goal, with Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson leading the way with three each.
Is it that bad: Three of a possible 10 points on the road trip
Not good, but could be worse, I guess. With a 1-3-1 record over the five-game road trip, Ottawa's got 32 points on the year and still sits in seventh in the Eastern Conference. The problem, though, is that it could (and probably should) have been eight points, with a blown lead against Boston and two winnable games against Los Angeles and Phoenix. Hopefully not something that the Senators have to pay for later in the season.
Newest ailment: Martin Gerber Syndrome
"A syndrome characterized by a sudden onset of unexplained sucking. In what is a classic example of an anxiety disorder, MGS tends to manifest only in cases of increased pressure (ie. performing in front of crowds)." For more information, see the FanPost.
Nickname of the Night: "Not Martin"
Given to Mike Brodeur initially to avoid confusion between himself and his far-removed cousin, Martin Brodeur, it later developed an optimistic secondary meaning: The hope that Brodeur is not afflicted by the seemingly common Martin Gerber Syndrome that's run through the Senators' goaltending roster.
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Chris Campoli quietly had another solid night. He’s looked so much better these past two games.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
by DarrenM on Dec 7, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I was going to give him kudos. Solid game for Campoli, disappointing one for Foligno; the opposite of what I expected their reactions to be post-benching.
by PeterR on Dec 7, 2009 12:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Foligno was alright. He’s still working hard, he’s just not keeping the puck on his stick. Kind of like Regin.
Karlsson was also better than last game.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
by DarrenM on Dec 7, 2009 1:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My apologies
I didn’t think my Crosby joke was over-the-line sexist, but in any event if it did offend anyone I sincerely apologize; however, Crosby needs to help his own cause a little and not play dead on selective games throughout the season or show discrimination towards francophones as – believe or not – this has become an issue in the city of Montréal (It’s because he doesn’t do interviews in french anymore if you can believe it).
Nice to see the boys notch a win on this long road trip as it looked (on the highlights anyways) that Elliot tried his damnest to keep the Ducks in the game. Sweet move by Kovi in the shootout as well as Alfie. GO SENS GO!
It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!
by hawks61 on Dec 7, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It wasn’t over-the-line sexist, as it is something that is just par for the course and accepted in hockey so I’m sure you didn’t think twice about it. It’s one of those things, like “he throws like a girl!” that are sexist but unfortunately are just ingrained in our culture.
About Crosby — There could be a few theories for that. He might be losing his ability to speak french, and so the interviews might be hard for him. Or maybe he was advised not to speak french because he might slip up and say something he doesn’t mean and have that exploited by the Montreal press? I don’t know. I really would not call it discrimination toward francophones, though.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
by DarrenM on Dec 7, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I could see that about Crosby… he is handled pretty delicately in the media, so maybe he doesn’t want to screw up in French. If I could speak it, though, I’d love to do interviews in French, but he’s not freakin’ discriminatory. That, to me, is a ridiculous accusation (not that I’m blaming you for it, hawks61, I don’t think you came up with it).
by PeterR on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was taken aback a little too by those accusations
Keep in mind my french is very limited as well, but I really suprised by the reaction from some of the Montréal faithful after Toews’ interview with RDS during the ‘Hawks and ’Habs game way back on October 30th. While watching the game on T.V. with many of my Montréal francophone friends I was extremely suprised on how appreciative they were (RDS and some of my friends) with the fact that Toews did the pre-game interview in francais (he was out day-to-day due to his post-concussion symtoms at the time).
Unfortunately, after the interview it went into a downward spiral act degrading Crosby because of of his interview the week previous when it was done in English and that he said “thank-you” at the end of his interview instead of “merci”. It really suprised me that RDS would cast Crosby under that light and microscope to that extent. Eventhough he can communicate in french doesn’t mean he’s comfortable with it and that Toews does because he is. After all, Toews’ mother is from Quebec City and grew up with it naturally unlike Crosby. Who knows why he doesn’t but I was suprised by the reaction, or over-reaction, that Crosby got from the media and the francophones by him not doing his interview in french.
It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!
by hawks61 on Dec 7, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My French has degraded considerably since moving from Ottawa out to Vancouver, so it doesn’t surprise me in a way that Crosby’s French would also get worse over time. But he also played in Rimouski, and after playing in the Q I can see why RDS and many francophones would be caught off guard and a little annoyed by Crosby.
I’m just jealous that you get RDS and French HNIC. It’s something you take for granted when living out east.
And no big on the other Crosby joke.
ryanclassic.net
by Ryan Classic on Dec 7, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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