Silver Nuggets: Four Senators voted into All-Star game
In a stunning development that will surely make Darren cringe, the Ottawa Senators took four of the six guaranteed spots at their home all-star game. At the last update on 30 December, Phil Kessel was the overall vote leader and Milan Michalek was fifth among forwards, over 144,000 votes behind Kessel. Michalek ended up 42,000 votes ahead of Kessel, which is a 186,000 vote turn around in less than a week. Erik Karlsson was fittingly the overall vote leader. Sergei Gonchar was the lone Senator on the ballot to not be voted in, falling just behind Dion Phaneuf. Gonchar was 151,000 votes behind Phaneuf but could only close the gap to 11,000. Despite my best efforts, Robin Lehner did not make it. However, about that project mayhem...
The six guaranteed spots went to:
Forwards
1. Daniel Alfredsson 897,055
2. Jason Spezza 817,483
3. Milan Michalek 743,977
Defencemen
1. Erik Karlsson 939,591 (first overall)
2. Dion Phaneuf 614,933
Goaltender
1. Tim Thomas 420,504
I guess if there is one thing the people of Ottawa can do, it is voting!
General Sens News
- No changes in lines for today. 1) Greening-Spezza-Michalek, 2) Condra-Turris-Alfie, 3) Foligno-Smith-Butler, 4) Daugavins-Konopka-Neil. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
- Defence is the same again, Chris Phillips is still out with a concussion. 1) Kuba-Karlsson, 2) Cowen-Gonchar, 3) Lee-Carkner. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
- Everyone predicts a win tonight. Peter of the Raaymakers went with 3-2 Ottawa. (Senators Extra)
- The players were obviously very happy to be voted in. Remember this support, Erik, when signing an extension! (Senators Extra)
- Nick Foligno's six non-Sens all-star players would be Henrik Zetterberg, Steven Stamkos, Claude Giroux, Zdeno Chara, Nicklas Lidstrom and Tim Thomas. (Ottawa Sun)
- Corey Locke was the lone Binghamton player to make the AHL all-star team despite missing most of the season. (Press & Sun-Bulletin)
- Growing up in Vancouver and playing in Phoenix, Kyle Turris isn't used to the Ottawa winter. Still, he's warming up to Ottawa and has played decently so far, picking up four assists. It is frustrating for him to still be without a goal, but it will come. (Ottawa Citizen)
- Erik Karlsson is getting mentioned in the national media, with Paul MacLean, Daniel Alfredsson and Sergei Gonchar all very impressed by him. (TSN)
- I certainly agree though, whomever this "Eric Karlsson" guy is, he doesn't deserve an All-Star spot. (DeadSpin)
- If you are interesting in going to the Sens/Oilers game on 11 February or Sens/Penguins on 24 March, check out my post. (Adnan)