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Roy downs Sens in shootout

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 10:21 AM EST 28/03/08

Sabres keep pace in playoff chase with victory in Ottawa ...Read the full article

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  1. John Stanton from Canada writes: The Sens own the Sabres but couldnt put them away....hmm, round one of playoffs looming fast for the Senators. This team is going to have a heck of a time getting out of that first round - if they even make the playoffs.
  2. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Lose in a shootout - no worries.

    What worries me is the inability to close down a team and protect a one goal lead, although I thought this game was an improvement over Tuesday's sleep for 50-win in ten.

    I think the team is slowly coming around, the question is if they have the time to sort themselves out.

    As soon as Redden rehabilitates his knee, someone should do a Tonya on him to keep Lee in the lineup.
  3. Howard Young from Canada writes: I'm glad for the point, but too bad Fisher's efforts were for not.
  4. John Stanton from Canada writes: People are clinging on to this kid Lee like a life raft in the ocean. This is the whole team that isnt going to be fixed. Better pick a team to follow in baseball.
  5. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: John Stanton - I think you will see throughout the season that Sens-Sabres were usually close affairs.

    The Sens make the playoffs, Leafs on the outside for three years running.

    Agree that the team will have a tough time getting out of the first round. What team in the Eastern conference is going to breeze through the first round?

    You may put your thoughts on a postcard as they are likely to leave room for the stamp and full address.
  6. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Stanton, your team is out. So should you. Be out.
  7. John Stanton from Canada writes: oh PC...hit the road. We have been through this a thousand times. I dont cheer for a team. This leaves you without any comeback given your refusal to acknowledge the Senators are toast in the playoffs. Now I guess you can come back with some childish personal attack like the last time I was here to make yourself look so smart.
  8. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Stanton, I knew the answer. No team. = no credibility. No need to respond, ur nothin but a lot of fresh air. The Sens will be in the playoffs, Ill cheer for them as long as they are there. At least I have a team, and they will be in the playoffs Cheering for no one is like putting a $3USD out the bedroom window in a 5oMPH wind. Its gone. So should you.
  9. John Stanton from Canada writes: Mariposa...it still remains a mystery to me how the Senators success or failure is tied to the Leafs. Now that they are out officially (they have been out since the puck dropped on the season in case people didnt notice), Senators and Habs fans now cue your whining posts about how stupid all fans are for not supporting their Canadian team and how everyone is an idiot who doesnt support their team and the evil American owned teams. Ha...!

    The only team softer than the Senators are the Sabres. They proved that last year when they rolled over in the playoffs and this year - their major players jumped ship. Judge the Senators on their own merits. Defending their inability to win by lumping them in with the rest of the wimpy East changes what? If you moved them into the West, they would be below .500
  10. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Stanton, you say 'the Senators are toast in the playoffs'. To my knowledge, the playoffs have not started...
  11. John Stanton from Canada writes: PC - again for the thousandth time, I cheer for Team Canada. But you are so mighty. Why dont you go somewhere else your highness. I am sure you could find something to do. I aint going anywhere
  12. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Team Canada. Now who might that be? I believe you stated months ago that team is the Pittsburg Penguins. Pittsburg is a city in Pensylvania, and I believe that is an American State. But I could be wrong, after all, my geography is not the best.
  13. Howard Young from Canada writes: To borrow a phrase used in poker 'all you need is a chip and a chair'. Chance equal opportunity and that's a heck of a lot better standing from the outside staring in.
  14. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Stanton, this is an Ottawa thread. I am an Ottawa fan. Its time you moved onto another area, this is my team thread, with Ottawa fans. Not ship jumpers.
  15. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: John - apologies for the knee-jerk reaction in assuming you were a rabid Leafs fan. Then you state you do not cheer for a team - either East or West.

    Thank you for the clarity. This is a discussion between hockey fans who support 'their' team and on the best of threads, a rational yet passionate discussion can occur.

    You - by your own admission, are a baseball troll by your 10:53 post.

    I enjoy watching and commenting on hockey - but baseball is a joke - I would rather watch cricket.
  16. Ryan M from Canada writes: Mariposa, agree about this team's frustrating inability to close out one goal games.

    There were a few positives to take away from this game, though. Donovan worked really hard tonight, as did Vermette and Schubert. Fisher and Gerber had great games. Too bad the rest of the team couldn't follow.

    Too bad Stillman is out. They are saying lower body (very descriptive). He was finally bringing some stability and patience to our powerplay.

    Neil, I thought, was surprisingly invisible - he is normally pretty fired up against the Sabres. He had a couple of chances to clear the zone leading up to Buffalo's tying goal, but was outworked and outmuscled. Disappointing to watch.

    Hats off to the Sabres, they never quit, and deserved this win.

    Stanton - I'm guessing you don't watch much of the Sens. If you did, you'd probably realize why people are so high on Lee right now. Redden has been atrocious, and Lee has resembled the 'old Redden' quite a bit in the past two games. I know it's only two games, but it's something. Redden had been providing nothing leading up to his injury.

    Cheers
  17. John Stanton from Canada writes: Ryan - my point is the kid is a rookie and had one good game and now he is the saviour. Now that Corvo is gone, Redden gets to bear the full brunt of the fans frustration. He wont be back next year. Who will take it next year? Looks like Commodore if he is foolish enough to sign.
  18. Ryan M from Canada writes: John - I see your point, and I agree. It has only been two games, and fans need to keep this in mind. He's played well, though. And he hasn't stood up with being bullied around as much as Redden. He shows a bit more grit.

    I can't agree with you about Corvo, though. We in Ottawa recognized his value in carrying the puck out of our zone and QBing the PP. His turnovers weren't actually that frequent, but when they happened, they were deadly. He took some heat, but who doesn't when they screw up? The media here chased Corvo out of town too, with their decidedly unfunny 'Uh Oh Corvo' nickname. Just brutal.

    Redden has taken the full brunt for the past two years because he's been a shell of his former self. We have seen what Redden brought to the team in the past. Now the guy has absolutely no heart - and he wears the A on his sweater. The fact that he isn't earning either that or his bloated salary and seems completely complacent and frustratingly tentative all the time is what pi$$es off most fans here.

    I think Commodore's starting to look like he fits in more. It took awhile, but he seems to be more comfortable.

    Every team has a scapegoat. It's just that this city has such high expectations. Redden is a special case, too.

    Cheers
  19. John Stanton from Canada writes: yes...and Redden's refusal to be traded like other prominent 'loyal' players really is a signal to me that they dont give a crap where they play for and if they win. If I was a GM, I wouldnt touch a no trade requesting player. This is why I dont cheer for a professional team per se. It's too much of a business now.

    I have to differ with you on uh oh Corvo....sure, Don Brennan when he wasnt writing about his beer farts or player's hair called him uh oh, but I think he had lots of company.

    Expectations are way too high for this franchise and I think this will become apparent after quick exit this year. My personal belief is it lies in the lack of leadership from the captain. Daniel takes losses way too easily and is too smooth with canned quotes when they lose. This sets the tone for the rest of the dressing room.
  20. Raymond Lepage from Otawa, Canada writes: It may be no coincidence that Redden lost his heart when he lost his mother a few years ago. He's never been the same since then, and that might explain why he has allegedly become a cocaine addict. We can't know for sure, but the signs certainly are there. His face has turned into a weaker version of Herman Munster and his performance on ice is abysmal. Something definitely went wrong with that former elite player.
  21. John Stanton from Canada writes: Raymond....not sure about losses or drugs but I suspect the years of playing and getting pounded have caught up to him. Redden has a small and delicate frame. It can only take so much abuse. Picking him over Chara was a major mistake.
  22. Howard Young from Canada writes: For the last time, the team didn't pick Redden over Chara. Chara wanted to test free agency to maximize his value. When that decision was made they had no chance to compete with other teams with more cap space. Management didn't think they could afford to lose Redden as well and secured him before free agency. At least management had the smarts to not sign him to 5 or more year contract. It was a 3 year deal and it comes to an this season. --------------------------------------------- I know Redden loves Ottawa and he's said he would stay for less money, unfortunately, hockey is a business and management has to do what's best for the team. It may be personal for the fans, but not for the organization.
  23. John Stanton from Canada writes: Howard Young....good point on limiting the contract length. The Redden era ends this year.
  24. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: John Stanton; Agree with you on a lot of points... but choose to disagree on a couple.

    The Senators are not even close to the softest team in the East. Softest goes to the Leafs .... then Buffalo ... Tampa isn't much better but they don't matter much anymore.

    When the Sens and Leafs played last week... the Sens were running the Leafs out of the rink until they were up 4 to 2.... Then they coasted... (and therein lies part of their problem).

    As for Alfie... he is a typical Swede (Leaf fan here)... he leads by example and doesn't want to offend anyone. If it wasn't for him I'm not sure they would have even made the playoffs.

    Cheers
  25. John Stanton from Canada writes: Scot...agreed on your soft team list - physically but the Senators have the softest heads out there - no confidence or ability to accept their own downfalls or reverse a sliding game. And those teams are all out of the playoffs. I said Buffalo was big time soft. I think rather than coasted, the Senators cant sustain 60 minutes of physical play and certainly not back to back games of it. They proved that against Anaheim last year and all throughout this year. This means quick exit for them in the playoffs. Last year they were able to get out of the east because of lack of physical opponents.

    We agree...Alfie and Sundin have the same demeanour - more politician than leader. Yes, Alfie can lead the team with points when he is on but he isnt a leader in the dressing room where it counts. And his shooting at Niedermeyer was THE bone head move of Stanley Cup history. You expect Andre Roy to do that but NOT a captain. Maybe it is European but I do believe that there is something to the fact that a European captain has NEVER raised a Stanley Cup. So, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver fans, take that!
  26. Raymond Lepage from Ottawa, Canada writes: Truth is, though, that it's not just Redden who has a problem on that team's defence. Meszaros has a serious hand-eye coordination problem with his slap shot (how many times did he fan tonight?); Commodore has been less than impressive since his arrival with the Sens (he was responsible for Buffalo's tying goal); Richardson, while still better than Redden (who isn't?), is... well 39 and it really shows. The only two at the D we can count on most of the time are Phillips are Volchenkov. Naturally, it would help if forwards remembered what it used to be like to backcheck and cover their man and stop those ridiculous turnovers at their blue line (hello Vermette on Buffalo's first goal!). I'm still waiting for a 60-minute effort -- hell, at this point, even 40 minutes wouldn't be so bad. Alfie and Heater were prominent no-shows tonight. It's a good thing Gerber stole a point for them...
  27. Bob Stanley from Toronto, Canada writes:

    Leafs rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr oooouuuuuuuuuuut...again
  28. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Raymond - agree with you about this team's inability to backcheck. I'm not sure if it's because they haven't been scoring as much as they normally do lately and are that much more anxious to hang around in the opposition's end, but the team defence of late has been horrendous. And you're right - Richardson is looking old. This season has taken its toll on him, I think. Meszaros fanned on a few shots from the point tonight - but I think it was an off game. He usually gets good wood on it and puts it on net. I though McAmmond was another bright spot. Quietly provides good leadership, has good speed, and he just looked pi$$ed off out there after a missed call. Healtey plays better when he's angry, too. Same with Neil. Murray should bagskate these guys to light a fire under their a$$es. As per Redden - it was a 2 year deal, not 3. Chara wanted more money and a longer term. Too bad we couldn't have tied up Chara, but it would have made signing some of our other guys near impossible. To put Redden's situation into perspective - Phillips and Volchenkov combined make $6M, which is half a million less than what Redden makes. Pick either Phillips or Volchenkov - more toughness, more hustle, more grit, and more heart. They are still one of the best defensive tandems in the league, and definitely earn their salary. BTW - supposedly Redden got into the coke when Andre Roy was around, so the problem has been around for awhile (again, supposedly). So this isn't a recent issue by any means. Cheers
  29. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Raymond - agree with you about this team's inability to backcheck. I'm not sure if it's because they haven't been scoring as much as they normally do lately and are that much more anxious to hang around in the opposition's end, but the team defence of late has been horrendous. And you're right - Richardson is looking old. This season has taken its toll on him, I think. Meszaros fanned on a few shots from the point tonight - but I think it was an off game. He usually gets good wood on it and puts it on net. I though McAmmond was another bright spot. Quietly provides good leadership, has good speed, and he just looked pi$$ed off out there after a missed call. Healtey plays better when he's angry, too. Same with Neil. Murray should bagskate these guys to light a fire under their a$$es. As per Redden - it was a 2 year deal, not 3. Chara wanted more money and a longer term. Too bad we couldn't have tied up Chara, but it would have made signing some of our other guys near impossible. To put Redden's situation into perspective - Phillips and Volchenkov combined make $6M, which is half a million less than what Redden makes. Pick either Phillips or Volchenkov - more toughness, more hustle, more grit, and more heart. They are still one of the best defensive tandems in the league, and definitely earn their salary. BTW - supposedly Redden got into the coke when Andre Roy was around, so the problem has been around for awhile (again, supposedly). So this isn't a recent issue by any means. Cheers
  30. Howard Young from Canada writes: Yes Ryan, my mistake, it was a 2 year contract. Makes management look even more intelligent.
  31. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: The game would have been in the bag if one of the Sens (didn't quite see who it was) was able to chip the puck over the blue line in the dying minutes of the game. He didn't and the rest is history. The inability to clear the puck is getting the Sens in a lot of trouble - the first period and the last two minutes of the third are cases in point. They seem to be always making the low percentage play instead of doing the simple thing, even icing the puck in some cases.

    Anyway, it looks like the Sens are getting it together - they played the second and most of the third period very well. Another win and a few more 'practice' rounds like this one and they will be in good shape to go far in the playoffs.
  32. Verona Raven from United States writes: Well at least one team in the golden horseshoe escapes perpetual futility.....
  33. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Fester, whether they go far or close in the playoffs, they are in them. Its up to the boys to play like they want to win, or play like they want to lose. They have the talent, they can do it. Its just if they want to. Its another season, its a short season, will cheer them on till the last whistle sounds. They do have a couple weak points, maybe they willl come thru, maybe they wont. My trouble is that I get to see very few games, I work mostly afternoons, or 2nd shift, I am not home in the evenings except Friday and Saturday. And here it is Friday, and I wont be here tonite. Anyways, always good posts from you, enjoy reading them and enjoy Barbados. Was there in /70 lots of changes since then Im sure. Keep warm, keep safe.
  34. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Apparently that one went over your head, Larfing.

    Maybe, just maybe, Verona was referring to Buffalo, and not Ottawa?

    Love the choke comment, too! In no way is that overused...
  35. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: Thanks, Proud. When the playoffs begin, I'm sure you will have more opportunity to watch the Sens and cheer them on with the rest of us fans to the bitter? end.
  36. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Ryan M from Ottawa: I stand, duly castigated but I've never heard of Buffalo as part of the Golden Horseshoe?

    Have to wonder why they removed my posts, it's not like I was rude (for a change).

    As for the "choke" comment, it's old material agreed, but until the Sens stop choking....

    GO HABS
  37. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Larfing - nor have I. However, keeping both the story and the comment in context, I think Verona was likely referring to Buffalo (who are, technically, still alive), as they are much closer to the Horseshoe than Ottawa.

    And cheering for the Habs? Wow, desperate times, I guess.

    Cheers
  38. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Desperate indeed. It still doesn't feel right saying it.

    Should have stuck with the Wings....
  39. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Whaddup with the "no comments" on the Bertuzzi story?

    That's fresh meat......
  40. Alfie Didn't Choke.... Like Really... from Canada writes: Do you think Ottawa will even make the playoffs? Since November they've been nothing like the "we're a very high skill team" and "our talent level is as good as anyone in the league..." or so Alfie keeps bragging about. They might be swinging the clubs with Mats and Marcy in a coupla weeks. Cool.
  41. Rob C from Canada writes: According to the Calgary Herald: "Biovail and senior executives engaged in a pattern of systemic, chronic fraud that impacted its public filings of quarterly and annual reports over the course of four years," Mark Schonfeld, director of the SEC's New York regional office, said in a statement. "In an effort to conceal the fraud, Biovail's senior officers intentionally misled the company's auditors and the investing public, showing their complete disregard for their responsibilities to shareholders."....I have been saying for two years that this guy is a train wreck waiting to happen....what happens to the Senators if he's forced to sell? (makes you go "hmmmm" don't it? - and eveyone says the Leafs are in trouble). Have a good summer Sens fans.
  42. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Hey Dumbo Rob, who cares. Who in hell cares. See your MLSE major shareholders are buying BCE. For Billions of Dollars. Teachers Pension plan. Turn ur ma bell fone in for a Telus. Ill keep my ma bell. Sens are in the playoffs Dumbo Rob, maybe for only a few games, but ur Laughs, 3 yrs in a row, never done in last 80 years. OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS. On the SAS A340-600, in the back of the Black and White for the ride to the cottage, or at Devil's Pulpit gettin ready for the off season sport. And ur worried about Ottawa. Clean up ur own back yard Dumbo.
  43. Rob C from Canada writes: Claude, you're an accountant, you should realize this is important, man! Don't you care? What will Roy Mlakar do now? Do they really have the money to spend on all these contracts? Are they selling off players this summer? I don't know.
  44. Rob C from Canada writes: ...are they in the playoffs for sure? One series, that's quite an accomplishment. Call the Hockey HOF and have a Sens wing readied. Maybe construct a replica of the Ottawa Sentors' dressing room. Cue John Facenda's 'voice of god' for the narration: "The Ottawa Senators made the 2008 playoffs - - - and the Leafs didn't." That's good enough for any Senators fan...
  45. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Dumbo Rob. Im an accountant. Certified at that. I can see the stars buddy, my vision or brain is not faded or scrambled. Let the courts decide. For instance, Conrad, is he a poor man today? Is he going to be broke when he gets out of the slammer? Is he suffering in there? Any other Bay Street Crook, have they gone broke? The client is broke buddy, not the big executive. Come on Dumbo. Get a real light. And as for the playoffs, over the past 3 yrs, the Sens have been in, are in this year, and went to the finals last year. For the Laughs, they have been on the SAS A340-600, on the road to the cottage or at Devil's Pulpit. Get a life, see the light, its a great life out there if you wake up with all your marbles.
  46. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Rob, there are more intelligent people out there driving truck night after night with me than yourself. I dont think you could make it on the road. The drivers would eat you up. And spit you right out.
  47. Rob C from Canada writes: If the Teachers really need the cash for the BCE purchase, then great! They'll need to liquidate some key assets and sell MLSE to the Thompsons (I hear they have first right of refusal). If that is the case - good riddance to the Ontario Teachers PF!!! They share the Senator attitude of "just make the playoffs" - But not to stay alive, it is to maximize their ROI. The Thompsons don't need the cash, they are Leaf fans (really, really rich ones - silly money). Tanenbaum and Peddie will have to go and there will be Joy in Budville once again (meanwhile the "Mighty Melnyk" will eventually strike out - believe me, I think it's going to happen...Didn't I say this last year too?).

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