The Five Most Iconic Ottawa Senators Photos of 2014-15
As we prepare for next season, here's a series of images reminding you what last season was all about.
There are certain pictures that just show up over and over. Well after the game has been played, your memory of an important event can be shaped by pictures captured in infamy. If I say the words "Bobby Orr Diving", you know exactly what I'm talking about. Though there's a strong likelihood you didn't watch the game in which Orr scored his famous goal, you can still picture exactly what the scene should look like.
"Iconic" is a word that tends to get use a lot more for older things. Most people would have a hard time thinking about something from the past year as iconic. And yet, the photos I'm about to show you I think you've seen enough times to consider them icons. A tonne of emotion and meaning can be wrapped up in one photo. But enough preamble. Here's the list:
Honourable Mention
gif by Stephanie Vail (@myregularface)
Only still photographs were considered, so this gif couldn't make the cut. But it's been used so many times, I couldn't leave it out.
5.
The Canadian Press
You may not be able to picture this image exactly, but chances are you know exactly what's going on here. Erik Karlsson was named captain. Bobby Ryan was extended. It took place before the season started, but it had us all envisioning greatness as the franchise took on a new, younger direction.
4.
Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Heartbreak. There's really no other way to describe this photo. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the game-tying goal, but it didn't count because the ref lost sight of the puck. It probably could have been higher on the list, except that all the feelings associated with this picture are so negative.
3.
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
There are two things captured in this photo:
1) Ottawa was chasing the Penguins in the standings. Coming back from a 3-0 deficit to beat them in OT gave a huge boost to Ottawa's playoff chances.
2) Mark Stone was famous for his exuberant celebrations, and this is one of the best caught on camera. The sheer joy on his face captures just how much fun this game and this streak were for Sens fans.
2.
Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images
I get chills every time I see this photo. Someone described Daniel Alfredsson's retirement as providing closure he didn't know he needed. It paved the way for Alfie to likely join the front office before 2015-16 starts. Something about the spotlight, Alfie in a Sens jersey, and the hand raised in gratitude to the fans just makes this a spectacular photo. For one night, the fans of Ottawa got to show him how much he meant to the city, and they didn't disappoint.
1.
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
The unbelievable streak is summed up perfectly by this picture. Ottawa overcame a 14-point deficit to make the playoffs; a minor league call-up nicknamed after a McDonald's character without a single NHL start tied a 77-year-old record to start his career; Ottawa fans started throwing burgers on the ice to celebrate wins. How many people when they think of Andrew Hammond picture him exactly as in this picture? Even if Hammond turns out to not be a capable NHL backup, we'll have the streak, and we'll have this iconic picture which will be shown in every slideshow of the guy for the rest of his career.