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Something's amiss in Ottawa

ROY MacGREGOR

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:50 AM EST 01/04/08

Don't blame lack of effort for Senators' slippage, Spezza says ...Read the full article

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  1. Andrew Perry from halifax, Canada writes: And they're still better than the Fleas!
    How's Sundin's hangnail? We haven't had an update in minutes and minutes.

  2. jethro bear from Canada writes: Well, this would be an incredible Stanley-Cup hangover were they to miss the playoffs. As it is, they're 1st round bait, barring some Lourdes miracle. When Edmonton had their hangover, there's ample reason - that sc-m Pronger leaving and their goalie sucking the next year. Carolina's reaosn was they fluked in to begin with. But Ottawa? They were fully deserving last year of the Finals, and they're on paper good enough this year. Yowza.It is a big chunk goal-tending but it's not all goal-tending. Nor coaching. Who wouldda thunk it?
  3. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Andrew Perry from halifax: speaking of Fleas, look who's come back to whine yet again.

    Typical Sens fan, a story about the Sens and who does he talk about?

    Canada's National Obsession: The Toronto Maple Leafs.
  4. George E. Porgie from Canada writes: I have a feeling that Sens will win tonight! However, if they squeak into a playoff position, not sure they will make it past first round...whoever their opponent.

    This team seems to have a somewhat fragile outlook upon its future...and with Alfie not 100 percent, they could be in difficulty. Where are the secondary leaders to pick up the slack when the captain needs support?

    Hope they make it. We need Ottawa in the post season.
  5. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Porgie- get over it dude- 'We' don't need no stinking Senators in the playoffs. 'We' (CBC, HNIC, G&M, Toronto Star, Sun, etc) need the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS in the playoffs ASAP.

    TORONTOTORONTOTORONTOTORONTOTORONTOTORONTOTORONTO.
  6. Alfie Didn't Choke.... Like Really... from Canada writes: Yeah I love the fact that so many times Sens fans say the Globe focusses too much on Toronto (and this is not an unreasonable position) and when a story on the Sens comes out, the only response is 'well they're better than the Leafs'. Dude, that ain't saying much, that you're better than one of the crappiest and worst run teams in the league.

    All the while, the Highly Skilled Sens (just ask Alfie, he'll tell ya what a superior team they are) are a mere 4 points away from golf season, after a 15-2 start. I love it. What could likely be one of the greatest collapses in sports history.

    I think it all goes back to Alfie shooting the puck at Nieds in the finals. Karma: It can be good and otherwise.
  7. P P from Canada writes: OTTAWA = choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke, choke..........some things in Ottawa never change.
  8. The Bell Curve from Canada writes: Must have been a slow day for Roy - not really a story with substance is it?
  9. R A from Canada writes: I love it...
  10. T J from Canada writes: I've said this before:the Sens just won't get it done with Alfie as captain.
  11. Kris Hayward from g-town, writes: As a habs fan I have been so so about the sens.
    This team has talent but you often wonder where is the heart or urgency.
    Sometimes having too much talent makes you think that you can turn it on or off. I don;t think that any team can do that any more.
    The sens will make the playoffs and their best hope is to play the Habs, pens or Hurricanes. Teams that they have played well against this year.

    Go habs Go
    Golf leafs golf
  12. garlick toast from Canada writes: it's the defense,they have none.it takes longer to organize a good defense than an offense.they can't play in their own end.that wasn't an issue at the start of the season but other teams improved defensively and ottawa didn't.
    i can't get over how well hal gill is playing for the pens.is it better coaching?
  13. T H from Canada writes: What is threatening to sink the Sens right out of the playoffs is this - everyone talking about how good they're NOT! They all know very well that they SHOULD be a top team in the East, that they SHOULD dominate many of the teams that have beaten them in the last two months...and yet they continue to lose.

    If they can hold on, and make the playoffs, they could turn it around. But I doubt it. When they face a team that really wants to win, they'll collapse. Is there any team in the top 8 in the Eastern Conference that is playing WORSE than the Sens right now?

    ....And I like the Sens!

  14. God Almighty from Ottawa, Canada writes: I like this talk.. please, keep underestimating this team. The Sens learned something finally last year it does not seem most of these posters realise - that the playoffs are a brand new season. Who cares how this regular season went?

    The reality is is that this is probably the best playoff team Ottawa has ever had. And we were not in great shape when we limped into the playoffs last year either, ya' know. So really, we'll just have to see how it goes but I am pretty sure it will end will with a championship or two.

    ok, now let loose all that sound and fury signifying nothing.

    Oh, and Roy only writes about the sens when they are not doing well. It's the only way he can break into the Toronto market, apparently.
  15. Alfie Didn't Choke.... Like Really... from Canada writes: God Almighty, re: Roy only writing about the Sens when they're in trouble to try to break into the Toronto market, well, that just toasts the value of any comment. Roy MacGregor is one of the finest journalists, sports or otherwise this country has to offer. His award-winning work is admired coast to coast. Maybe your idea of great sports J is Steve Simmons or something?
  16. T H from Canada writes: God Almighty: I think you're right in asserting that they are a good team - a great team - on paper.

    But the reality is, the 'room' is crummy! They haven't gelled, and so when things get tough in the playoffs, they may well turn on each other.

    Team chemistry is huge, and I get the impression that the Sens' is lousy.
  17. R A from Canada writes: 'And we were not in great shape when we limped into the playoffs last year either, ya' know'

    What are you talking about - the Sens were on a tear the 2nd half of last season going into the playoffs.
  18. Alfie Didn't Choke.... Like Really... from Canada writes: Which is not to say that Ottawa fans are sensitive....
  19. tom egan from ottawa, Canada writes: I only wish Ottawa had a captain like Sundin who hasn't been to the playoffs in 4 years.
  20. R A from Canada writes: tom egan, you just may get your wish
  21. God Almighty from Canada writes: Well, well - looks like Roy's strategy to break into the Toronto market is working. Other journalists like Roy too, but that does actually make him great. It makes him popular because he has spent his career echoing the masses sentiment in his writing. In touch, yes, but not insightful in the least. Sorry, Roy, that's just the way it is.

    Look, people were worried and predicting doom and gloom the entire season and post-season last year, and especially since Ottawa finished lower in the standings since they had for a long, long time. It's the same this year. Obviously, I cannot argue intangibles about room chemistry - all I can do is point out the possibilities and the history of the situation. Ottawa is a better team (sorry, but Lapointe, commodore, phillips, fisher and stillman are not better looking on paper, so that criticism is not worth the paper it is read from) for the playoffs than they ever were before, and with experience from last year - watch out.

    You all will be (un)pleasantly suprised, I am sure. hehe.
  22. Alfie Didn't Choke.... Like Really... from Canada writes: God Almighty, you clearly have not read Roy MacGregor, one of the more elagant writers in the entire country. Geez, and other guys in the biz like him so.... are you saying this is a herd mentality type thing and other professional writers are like too stupid to realize MacGregor really sucks? Um. Well, yeah, okay. That makes sense man.

    As to the fate of Ottawa, well, um, yeah, they're obviously peaking at the right time, ready to take on the world, especially demonstrated by the awesome record the last 60 games. Believe it or not, Toronto's a better team statistically the last 60 games, and this is a team that really seriously sucks. So, um, yeah, go sens!
  23. Rob C from Canada writes: Oh, please - Other than a run to the finals last year (which was a fluke, if you look at the result in the final - and how the Sens have played this year). The Senators are one of the worst run teams in the league - especially if you're using the Leafs as a comparable. Last I checked: 1. the Sens have never beaten the Leafs when it really counts 2. The Sens have never won a big series (beating the Devils and Sabres is mediocre accomplishment) besides, if the leafs were in the playoffs, the sens wouldn't have ever gotten past the first round...Want proof check the series head to had this year - If the Leafs are a joke, then the Sens are a cruel punchline...It's April fools day Sens fans. You've been fooled by this pathetic excuse for a team yet again.
  24. Rob C from Canada writes: Speaking of April fools day - God Almighhty, you're obviously pulling our chains right?....'look out' is right. If your walking under tall buidings, a Sens fan might land on you - Speaking of which, Sens fans should have their belts and shoelaces removed for the playoffs.
  25. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: Andrew Perry from halifax, Canada writes: And they're still better than the Fleas!
    How's Sundin's hangnail? We haven't had an update in minutes and minutes.

    Sure, Andrew, keep clinging to that pathetic notion while you watch your fav team slip/choke further and further down the standings.

    I can't wait for the Sens to meet the Leafs on the golf course.

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