Clutch Chris Phillips guides Senators to 4-3 win over Predators
by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 9, 2012 10:23 PM EST
in Ottawa Senators game recaps
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PrintWith two Ottawa Senators storylines going into Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators, you knew something special was going to happen. As it turns out, it was Chris Phillips who made it so.
Goals were exchanged, and the game was closer than it should have been considering the massive very, very effective powerplay the Sens had going for them. But really, in sum, there are two things you need to know: The Senators won 4-3, and Phillips provided exactly half of the offence.
Oh yeah, and the Sens are ahead of the Leafs in the standings again.
Sens Hero: Chris Phillips
On Thursday we were graced with the presence of Phillips' alter ago, Clutch Chris. Clutch Chris makes perfect passes, steps up in the play when appropriate, punishes opponents physically, and makes strong defensive plays. Unfortunately, Clutch Chris doesn't come around too often--mostly just in overtime, and occasionally for milestone games. He came out for his milestone 1,000th game against the Predators: He threw five hits, used his active stick to negate all sorts of Nashville pressure, and, of course, scored his first and second goals of the season. It was obviously his best game of the year--the latter standing up as the game-winner.
Sens Hero: Jason Spezza
Ottawa's top pivot bounced back with a vengeance, putting up three points (2G, 1A) including the game-opening goal to give Ottawa a comfort level off the start. He was setting up linemates Milan Michalek (more on him in a moment) and Bobby Butler all over the place, and had five shots of his own. Phillips' was important to the offence, but Spezza was integral to it.
Sens Hero: Milan Michalek
Milo had a heck of a game against the Predators, too, finishing the game with a couple of assists, four shots, and more blown scoring chances than I care to count. If Michalek keeps getting those kinds of opportunities, though, goals will come for him fast and furiously.
Honourable Mention: Bobby Butler
#BobbysBack. Butler jumped back into the lineup after two games in the press box, stepped onto the first line, and didn't miss a beat. It was a different Butler than last season: One who went into the corners, ground out the puck, and made some passes. He's still got that lethal shot, but Paul MacLean is teaching him (the hard way, perhaps) that he can't just rely on that to generate offence. Butler's learning.
Shot chart:
Game highlights:
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That sound...
is the sound of a giant exhale. Nice win. Great game by Phillips! Storybook.
"Subdue the enemy without fighting" ~ Sun Tzu
Clutch Chris?
What, did McIndoe serve you with cease and desist papers? He used to be cool, man ….
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 9, 2012 10:38 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, but Big Game Chris is ironic.
It would be inappropriate to use the name when Chris Philips actually played well.
PLAYOFFS!!!
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Man, I was stuck at work for this game.
Too bad Fisher didn’t score a goal, too, but that’s okay.
Incidentally, Foligno’s assist puts him 2 points back from his career high, set last season. Too bad he hasn’t scored a goal in…14 games, and only 2 in his previous 28.
If Phillips (think I’ll spell that correctly this time) can keep up this level of play, less the 2 goals a night, that will bode well. Aw, who am I kidding: 2 GOALS A NIGHT, CHRIS! YOU’VE SET THE BAR HIGH!
I don't think it's too bad at all
Too bad Fisher didn’t score a goal, too, but that’s okay.
Yeah he was great in Ottawa, but we needed a win badly. ;)
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I like Scott Hartnell's new idea for a goal celebration.
Score. Punch Dion Phaneuf. Repeat as necessary.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
by Nightbreak on Feb 9, 2012 11:45 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Scott Hartnell.
My new favourite non-Senator. Gets 2/3 of his Gordie Howie hattrick with Phaneuf on the ice after saying “Suck it, Phaneuf!” at the ASG. Gotta love it!
by Pirateninjabot on Feb 10, 2012 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
Great fantasy player, or greatest fantasy player?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 2:55 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
Him and Konopka together would have the greatest 1-2 comedic punch of anywhere in the league!
I would watch that show
Konopka/Hartnell: 24/7
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Fail
Jesus is from the Middle East. Brown hair, brown eyes, nice tan – Alfie’s photonegative. #youknowwhatImsayin
by StraightFromTHM on Feb 10, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
you have obviously never been to a Christian church, my son
i think the blue-eyed Jesus way out-numbers the ethnically correct Jesus. I’m sure there are a number in the Bible-belt whose eyes would roll back in their heads and start foaming at the mouth if you told them Jesus was Jewish.
Plan the parade!!!
Oh, this was hard and laborious process… back and forth, back and forth, I hate those games, but it was impressive performance by CP4, I am not sure this makes me feel better about general Eastern standings, but at least First line is scoring and we are getting 2 points for a change – I could not care less about anything else at this point after 7 lost games.
Go SENS Go!
I know that, that doesn't matter, I know you Mr. Rainey, that's what matters. You stole my story.
Only six more years until Phillips can be renamed CP-4-0
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 3:04 AM EST up reply actions
Congratulations Chris Phillips!
What a great game by Big Rig! Both celebrations were classic. It was great to see Phillips get a love in and have an awesome game. Hopefully we can get another game like that on Saturday when he gets his stick/painting acknowledgement for a great career.
Saturday is a pretty quick turnaround. Hope you get this painting finished on time ;-)
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 2:56 AM EST up reply actions
See Fisher after the game?
Happiest loser I’ve seen in recent memory.
Such a relief to see the boys win finally. I’ve been working so much lately and with the way the Sens have been playing, it’s been hard to make the effort to follow them as closely as I normally do. Add this to the fact that I got a raise today and it’s been a sweet ass day!
It’s on the TSN.ca clip of the highlights. It’s pretty funny. Fisher looks so happy, and then starts to pretend like he’s not “I mean, it’s never good when you don’t get the win… and we didn’t play well at all… but I’m so happy for him!”
Co-manager, Silver Seven
Rodney Harrison would not approve.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 3:00 AM EST up reply actions
Phillips goes to Spezza before the game and is all:
“Just stay out of my way and try to keep up, kid.”
by HaBla on Feb 10, 2012 12:36 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Some people scoff and make fun, but I am proud that we have so many players who can refer to Spezza as a kid.
disclaimer: I am old
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 3:02 AM EST up reply actions
“I still get a funny feeling about that old man and the kid. I’m not sure what it is about them, but they’re trouble.”
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 7:45 AM EST up reply actions
I Told you guys!
I had lost my name tag which is covered in Sens stickers. The sens go on a losing streak. I finally find it the other day and they pull out the win. THE NAME TAG IS MAGICAL!
And arent the SENS 100% win percentage when Philips scores? can someone confirm? And I herd something about Philips scoring more than one goal in a game means Stanley Cup. Tis written in legend and stone somewhere.
I think...
..the last time he had a 2 goal game was on November 19th, 2009 (my birthday) against Pittsburgh, which I attended. I could be wrong though.
Here’s hoping his 1200th game sees him record the hattrick.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 3:07 AM EST up reply actions
The Dutch Treat
probably approves of your magical nametag, whereas the Dutch host, on the other hand, would not be upset if you increased the number of pieces of flair to Dean McAmmond levels.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 2:53 AM EST up reply actions
When Chris Phillips scores, the Sens are actually 42-9-2, with 4 ties
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 10, 2012 3:17 AM EST up reply actions
No, they showed a stat last night
They’re something like 46-8-2 when he scores.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I posted the other day about burning my"lucky"hat
well it is now ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. it’s really no coincidence that it coincided with the burning of the hat, I don’t want to take credit for all the win, but… nah! I do. go sens! way to kick the monkey off your back and use a 7 iron to tete up the win “big rig”
by spezzasbrother on Feb 10, 2012 6:32 AM EST via mobile reply actions
was just a well played game
Looked to me like the Sens put more pressure on the puck carrier most of the night, Auld did not need to be spectacular but was solid, after a couple of duds, the PP looked dangerous and produced. In fact, I think the team looked better than it did even through it’s last few wins. Someone on HNIC Radio (Ron MacLean?) said yesterday that it seemed like the rest of the league moved into pre-playoff/post-All-Star hockey except the Sens. It looked like the Sens moved into that gear last night.
Sched looks pretty good for the next couple of weeks too (better than the Leafs, imo) – here’s hoping they stretch some ground out on their PO spot.
I also liked how the night played out,
phillips’ 1st goal, 1st multi goal game, 1st fame winner…oh what a night!
by spezzasbrother on Feb 10, 2012 8:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I really wish he could have gotten the hatty
Alfie won the faceoff, but just couldn’t get it to him.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I think Phillips was looking up at his mum.
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
A Different Milestone
This Hero designation for The Big Rig is his tenth of the season. He is now seventh overall (actually tied for fifth). Good game, Chris!
OH SNAP!
He’s played outstandingly the last two games. Hopefully he keeps it up… if he can play like Clutch Chris for the rest of the season, our defence is immeasurably improved.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 10, 2012 8:24 AM EST up reply actions
That's why we have him!
The guy is a veteran. Same as Gonchar and Kuba, they’re still in the league for a reason. And when they find their groove, they’re great.
You're having your own Player-Hater's Ball
And Chris Phillips went all Carrie on you last night.
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
4 points, in honour of Big Poppa Phillips
1. The lines looked good last night. The 4th line had 2 first rounders on it, and in addition to being a very solid checking line, had some good offense as well. Also, JIM O’BRIEN played well.
2. Chris Phillips is the second greatest Senator. That’s pretty good.
3. The importance of that win can’t be understated. It was a feel good night with Big Rig, they beat a hot team, they played well, they got a win out of the backup goalie (at last), and we generally get to hit restart from here.
4. Let’s wait till Scotty Hartnell slows down a bit and then sign him up. Then the official website should give him a weekly webcast called, “Suck it Phaneuf!”
Bonus: Nightbreak should be a Sens hero for riding that horn out for 20 seconds on Phillips’ first goal. The people I was with last night even said “nice horn!” (which is funny in two ways.)
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 7:56 AM EST reply actions
That horn
was up there for my fave moments of the season.
Nice work indeed Sens Hero.
I love how Nightbreak knows exactly when to wail on that thing
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Big Poppa Phillips is your hookup!
HOLLA IF YOU HEAR ME!
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
But he has the LARGEST ARMS IN THE WORLD
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I'm all over you're number 3
it should translate into a great performance tomorrow. that was one helluva a way to break out of a slump – one hopes that carries over into almost playoff level enthusiasm the next game.
Our new top six forward
Who knew Phillips was going to be our new top six forward?
Seriously though, I loved the goals, but I especially loved a couple of those hits he gave. When he’s physical like that is when he plays his best.
Terrible headline
I would have gone with “Chris Phillips ruins Mike Fisher’s return to Ottawa”.
Last night was all about Mike Fisher… right?
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I love how Spezza's second goal is just stolen from Michalek
It’s like in Gauntlet, when you’re about to die and then your buddy takes the food instead because he “really needed it.”
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Or Streets of Rage
Your buddy eats the turkey and leaves you with an apple.
by The Tif on Feb 10, 2012 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Feb 10, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
Jim O'Brien, No. 42
Nightbreak very insightfully pointed out that Jim O’Brien’s number makes him, “The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.”
That can only mean one thing: Jim “The Answer” O’Brien.
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 9:56 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
Rec'd.
He needs to skate out with a towel.
by The Tif on Feb 10, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
and it works because there's a DC hero called The Question
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Sci-fi geeks
You forgot sci-fi geeks.
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
boy, how could i miss that one! i feel like i have to run for cover in the Trekkie-fest here sometimes…
Oh, it's never that bad when it comes to Trek.
No one’s comparing Anderson or Auld with Picard.
Or saying that Jason York looks like Kirk
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Wait, so you’re disappointed that your internet friends are geeks?
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, Babylon 5 is the official Sci Fi show of Silver Seven
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
They came for me. :D
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
And also because, as in the Douglas Adams books, no one is really quite sure what the question is to which Jim O’Brien is The Answer. He just is.
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 10, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
I never got The Question's shtick.
He was a lame cross between a detective (Batman) and the Riddler. Except a good guy. And not particularly useful other than to set up story arcs for other guys.
He was a conspiracy theorist Turned Up To Eleven.
With the means to make himself a blank-face like the Blank in Dick Tracey.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
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