I really hope that some of you can try and keep a level head after the loss tonight and put things in perspective. It's pretty clear this team is suffering from a post-Olympic hangover so lets just try and have a little patience.
It's a long season and absolutely EVERY team in this league goes through the highs and lows. Just need to get back to what had them rolling along before the break and they'll be fine.
With that said, criticism of the goalie is expected because this was obviously a rough outing for Pascal Leclaire. You have to wonder what the early hook will do to an already fragile psyche. This is pretty clearly Brian Elliott's job to lose right now and I really doubt we'll see much of Leclaire the rest of the way.
For the most part I liked what I saw from Andy Sutton in his Sens debut. He plays a simple game out there and keeps the opposition honest at the blue line and in front of the Senators net. Hopefully tonight was a sign of things to come for the big blueliner.
Congrats to Matt Cullen for bagging his first as a Senator. Certainly looked like his best game thus far.
Other than that a pretty weak performance from the Senators tonight in Raleigh. The team was really clicking before the break but really seem to lack any kind of chemistry in the offensive zone against the Rangers and again tonight.
They looked better in the third period but back to back loses certainly wasn't the start they were hoping for after the Olympics. Should have a good chance to get back on track on Saturday against the Leafs.
GO SENS GO!
99 comments:
Here Buffalo, have the division cuz we sure as hell don't want it!!
I have to strongly disagree with ur assesment of this as an "olympic hangover" SC, if u look back to before the break in Detroit, Toronto, and two periods of the game vs NYI. Counting those games we have now seen pathetic performances in 5 of the last 7 games.
One thing I see in the defense that is VERY concerning is they're play on EVEN-MAN rushes against. They seem discombobulated whenever the forwards cross routes and no one knows who to follow (i.e. Samsonov in the second period) and they all seem to be backing up into the crease instead of challenging the puck carrier. Like I cant understand what they are trying to do.
ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC
This one doesn't fall on Leclaire. The whole team played poorly and pulling Leclaire didn't help.
So much for building confidence in our goalies, Clouston.
Don't kill me for saying this, but I don't feel leclaire had that bad an outing. A bad giveaway but the goal wasn't bad nor was the second. But I agree. This is Elliotts job to lose
Things were fine before the break there Anon@9:50 PM.
They were playing great defensively and winning a ton of hockey games.
Is it that hard to just believe in the team you cheer for?
Sigh...
cue the pathetic Murray bashers in 3...2...1...
Reality check! We're far ahead of where anywhere thought we'd be, and we have lost a whole whopping 2 in a row...hardly worth losing sleep over but it is Ottawa, we have such over dramatic fans. Still 6-4 in the last 10 games so relax people. RELAX.
Obviously room for improvement but they have shown for long stretches that they are fully capable.
Leclaire shouldn't have been pulled IMHO. The first goal was the linesman NOT GETTING OUT OF THE WAY. Carkner didn't see it, and Leclaire got left out to dry on that. The second sucked, but wasn't completely his fault either. I think Clouston should start him against Toronto though. The team was uninspired, and there's no reason to continue to lump the loss on Snoopys shoulders
I actually agree with most of what you are saying SC, There is no need for panic....Yet.
But The issues with this team goes beyond just 2 games. The questions in general we need to ask ourselves
is,
Is our goaltending good enough?
Is our D too Slow?
The playoffs will be a telling tale, but 2 fundamental issues are missing here...We needed a puck moving Dman and solid goaltending to go far in the playoffs.
Unfortunately we lack both and these weaknesses, as many posters pointed out have been an issue since Murray took over as GM...Thats unfortunate for us as Sens fans, Because the core guys on this team really are decent, we just don't have the missing pcs to the puzzle.
I will facepalm forever at the people who think Leclaire is STILL the guy.
There's nothing to say, rather than "pointing to the scoreboard" to prove my point, I'll point to the stat-sheet, which, for Leclaire, looks like Vesa Toskala vomited all over it.
I actually agree with most of what you are saying SC, There is no need for panic....Yet.
But The issues with this team goes beyond just 2 games. The questions in general we need to ask ourselves
is,
Is our goaltending good enough?
Is our D too Slow?
The playoffs will be a telling tale, but 2 fundamental issues are missing here...We needed a puck moving Dman and solid goaltending to go far in the playoffs.
Unfortunately we lack both and these weaknesses, as many posters pointed out have been an issue since Murray took over as GM...Thats unfortunate for us as Sens fans, Because the core guys on this team really are decent, we just don't have the missing pcs to the puzzle.
hey sens fans,
I didn't get a chance to see the game tonight. I listened to the post game show on the way home from work and I guess Pascal gave a look of anger to the bench when he was given the hook. I DONT BLAME HIM. In a post-olympic interview Clouston said, " we know which goalie we are going with, we won't divulge that information but we know who the guy is." Just like Ryan Shannon, Clouston favors his Bingo guys and has always favored Brian Elliot. If Leclaire was the guy here he would have said so in the interview, but by saying what he did he was telling Pascal he was not in Cory's plans. Pulling a goalie 6 mins in is a good way to either piss off a guy or kill his confidence.
I like clouston so i hate to rip him but i think this was the wrong move, and i wish he wasn't so bias to his Bingo guys.
C-Mac
Wow. That was a stinker. Some pressure to perform on Sat now.
Was it really just an extended hot streak or is this team for real.
Questions remain.
Donovan had a solid game.
The guy's worth penny!
Exactly what we need come playoff time guys.
SC I'm pretty sure that they are averaging more than 4 goals against in their last 7 games. Is that what u call great D-fence?????
Not trying to induce panic or anything, I'm just pointing out a frightening trend that has developed even into the games leading up to the olympics.
P.S. so much for us having one of the hardest defense to play against, first 2 goals the guy walks to the net without being touched ... pffffttt Kostopolous, not the most skilled guy and yet ...
You would think the Leafs is just what we need but that game scares the life out of me! PLEASE tell me that they will shake the hangover off in that game. I cant watch them trounce us again!!
Hey Chirp - whats up with the live blog. I needed to vent during this game
I think LeCLaire should start on Saturday. We need a consistent goaltender that can stand on his head at times. I think Pascal is able to do that, but he just hasn`t shown. Also, pulling him after 7 minutes destroys the confidence. Put him in nets on Saturday. If he plays bad, then it`s Elliot`s time to shine, again! If he plays well, it shows that he is willing to let the injuries, and Clouston blow over, go.
maybe pulling leclaire 6mins in will get him motivated to work harder im sorry sometime you gotta light a fire under someones ass to get their head in the right place
I'm 100% a Leclaire supporter, been on his side the whole year, even when he was injured. I even have his name on my jersey (ya ya, i know..) I will come right out and say that i dont think Leclaire will start another game this year, well maybe 1 or 2.. Its clear that Clouston doesnt trust him, and that the team seems to fall apart in front of him.
I still think Leclaire has what it takes to be the guy.. you can have all the talent in the world, but if your team doesnt trust you or play for you, then what good is it? Even Leclaire knows it, especially after being pulled and seeing the look in his face.. he actually made some good stops before those 2 goals, and he played very well last night when he came in for Elliott..
Anyways, I think Clouston should just come out and say Elliott is his go to guy, and cut this goalie contraversey BS, its dividing SENS fans apart and its making us bitch and rip into eachother.. as SENS fans, we should all be on the same page, cheering for every player equally, and so forth..
regardless who plays in nets, GO SENS GO!
PS-Anyone wana buy a barely used Leclaire AWAY jersey?
I don't know. Clouston's in-game adjustments consist in changing lines, that's it. Once again, instead of waiting in front of the net for passes the players are lined up against the boards waiting for the cycle. You could tell the Carolina players knew exactly how to play it.
Anyway, let's see what happens on Saturday.
Carkner - slow, dumb, where is the hockey sense?? Sure he can hit, but thats about it! (hey that rhymes!)
Lee - shouldve traded him for a 600th round pick.. is he garbage or what?!?
The hangover was gone after the NYR game, but at least we played solid in the 3rd and it will be something to build on going into Saturday..
Seriously though, Manny Legace stoned us? sad...
We are cursed with underachieving goalies just like the flyers. We will never win without a legit goalie.
HURRY UP LEHNER!!!!!! lol
Sutton played fine. But that's not the point.
Sutton's not a puck mover. We're down one puck mover. That affects the offence.
Sutton may be filling in for Kuba, but they play very different games. That affects the team in a bad way, in my view.
He provides more jam, but he hurts the offence.
alfie had one of his worst games in a sens uniform...ive never seen him giveaway the puck as many times as he did tonight...the whole team too...too many giveaways
A win against the Leafs rights all the wrongs in the world.
I don't like the yank that early on. If that had been Elliott in nets, Clouston would've left him in. Clouston needs to stop having hard-ons for certain guys and giving them special treatment. Shannon and Elliott both are in that category. Pisses me off.
Leclaire got hung out to dry. Lame effort but whatever. Hopefully they get back the intensity soon. Not time to panic yet!
I quite enjoyed watching Sutton knock the opposition players to the ice. Nice to see him get off to a strong start in a Sens uni.
I liked Clouston's move to pull Leclaire after the second goal. It wasn't entirely fair to PL but it did work by allowing the team to pull back into the game. That would have been a nice game to win as it would have given us a 3 point lead on Buffalo.
Based on the extended poor play of Leclaire and his 2 freak injuries, it's looking like this won't be his year. Elliott has carried this team to where it is today with very solid goaltending. If he can play close to the level he was at before the break, he deserves to be our #1 through the rest of the year and into the playoffs.
Pulling the goalie was a massive blunder. We need both our goalies clicking. Neither goals were huge fouls by Leclaire and a goalie who's been played more might have had them. Letting him play through it was way more important than a win.
Lee played much better, Carkner should be the next guy sent down when Kuba comes back. I think it might be a good time to bring back Bordor? or fire the new goal tender coach. lol
Actually, I was encouraged by their play in the 3rd. They finally seemed to figure out what their skates were for. Until then, and against NYR they pretty much just sucked, Alfie too. They will shape up now and shouldn't have to hang their heads after Saturday.
Leclaire has been so bad, I miss Gerber.
threw up in my mouth a little bit there.
King Karlsson led the team in playing time and was +1.
3 stinkers in 4 games....
Even Alfie's game is waaaay off. At least the 3rd period showed some sign of improvement.
Hoping that things settle down soon.
Chirp,
You are the ultimate optimist. No matter how bad the game is you look past, it's great. You have to know that Clouston probably gave them a LOAD tonight.
Sutton played decent tonight, he's a little slow getting back to the front of the net from the boards though.
If they beat the leafs on SAT they will bounce back.
The team is still good. The layoff has definitely hurt them though. I expect they'll get back on track this weekend, I can't see them losing to the Leafs after these past two games, and after the Leafs beat the crap out of the Senators last time.
A few comments...
1) Clouston was right in pulling Leclaire. Even though you can probably blame Lee for the 1st one and Kelly for the 2nd one, ultimately he's the guy that has to stop the puck from going in. Leclaire was a disaster waiting to happen tonight, and Elliott just confirmed that he's the starter from here on in. Elliott was very good.
2) Sutton was exactly as advertised, and very useful. It's nice to see a guy do exactly what he's supposed to. I thought he had a strong game.
3) Cullen had his best game with the team (obviously), and I'm encouraged by the progress he's made.
4) Here's a list of guys who are playing poorly right now: Kelly, Lee, Michalek, Fisher, Alfredsson, Carkner, Volchenkov. When you have that many guys playing badly, you can't expect the wins to come easy. Clouston is no dummy, he'll get them going at practice tomorrow, and I expect the team to respond with a solid effort on Saturday.
No cause for alarm yet folks, it's just two games, the Senators still lead the division. They just need to work out the kinks here. They'll be fine.
It is sad that Cory favors all of the players from Bingo. He clearly has a bias and that is not good when you are a coach and have to sometimes look at your team objectively to make good decisions.
I'm getting that same bad feeling I had before the last Leafs game. Hope it's just some bad food or something.
I'm less worried about the defence than I am about the lack of offensive finish. I know two very weak outings isn't reason to panic, but going to the playoffs with the recent efforts will mean 4-and-out. We're relatively healthy and last time I checked, EVERYONE had an Olympic break, not just the Sens.
Please beat the Leafs on Saturday! I can't take losing to these schmos.
KD
Well I certainly havent given up on my sens.. If you look at all the teams not too many are having a good run with Carolina being the exception.
With that said they played alot better tonight than they did vs the Rangers and Im confident they'll get their groove back and kick some leaf ass on Saturday!
I think Clouston was surely kicking himself over his choices tonight and I really enjoyed watching Sutton and Cullen tonight..great job boys and welcome to Ottawa!!!
Looking forward to going to the game on Sat cuz Im sure theyre gonna be on fire!!!!
No excuses for leclaire ...ok but come on man step up those goal's were weak and he needs to step up ...elliot came in cold and was making the saves the sens needed ..
Alfie on the breakway and Spezza doing his thing I give them credit for trying everything they can do
Kovie the break is over start skating your not on the beach anymore its time to get back to work bud
cheechoo call him up
As far as cullen and sutton im happy
CC needs to make solid lines and stick with them
Carkner is slow so slow
mich spezza alfie
shannon/regin fisher kovie
folingo cullen cheechoo
rutuu kelly neil
atrain philly
kuba karlsson
sutton campoli
Elliot
GO SENS GO
No excuses for leclaire ...ok but come on man step up those goal's were weak and he needs to step up ...elliot came in cold and was making the saves the sens needed ..
Alfie on the breakway and Spezza doing his thing I give them credit for trying everything they can do
Kovie the break is over start skating your not on the beach anymore its time to get back to work bud
cheechoo call him up
As far as cullen and sutton im happy
CC needs to make solid lines and stick with them
Carkner is slow so slow
mich spezza alfie
shannon/regin fisher kovie
folingo cullen cheechoo
rutuu kelly neil
atrain philly
kuba karlsson
sutton campoli
Elliot
GO SENS GO
The Pascal yank was premature - an emotional reaction by Clouston. Now, if his intention was to shake up the team - it didn't work. The boys played with lead in their feet. The good news is that they had a good run, and will have another good run soon. Yes, it's only been 2 games, so there's no need to panic now.
Karlsson, Cullen, Sutton, Regin all looked great. Volch, Alph, Lee, Kelly, Phillips all struggled. No shows were Neil, Carkner, Kovy, Michalek.
Bottom line: get the lead out boys - we're paying you good bucks to entertain. It's one thing to lose, and it's another to lose a good battle - neither of these games were good battles. I'm looking forward to an improved effort Saturday.
Leave the goalie discussion for another time - the problems the last 2 games are not limited to the men behind the pipes.
just dropping in today to give Spezza a thumbs up. He was awesome with the puck last night, he threw a few hits, and was backcheking very well. Way to go Spezza!
I'd like to know when it became fashionable to jump on the "we need both goaltenders ready" bandwagon. Allow me to present an alternate theory. We need both goaltenders to act like they want to win the game for their team. We need both goaltenders to challenger shooters, make saves, make the odd great save, and be solid. Only one of our goaltenders is doing that. The other is caught in the seemingly incessant Bermuda Triangle of Ottawa goaltending limbo, and I think we're all just tired of that.
I don't care about fragile mental states. I don't care about showing confidence. I care about a guy who cares about stopping the puck and winning. Pascale is in la-la land, and is now the backup (at best). There is only one person to blame for that and his name is not Clouston. I didn't want it this way either, but Elliott has been the mentally tough one and PL has wilted. Potential doesn't win hockey games, making key saves does. Every scoring chance for the opposition CANNOT become a goal. End of story. Ells is the man, and PL is not far off being #3 at this rate. Bingo may help him, as someone suggested earlier. I care not, just get your head in order and come back strong next year. Stop leading the league in dirty looks after you get yanked and learn why you're getting yanked. Go Sens....
Just..... play Elliott please.... leave it at that!
But the boys up front are doing fine, our d as well, just gotta step er up!!
GO SENS!
Let's all calm down here people. Let's put things into perspective...
Before the season started, where did you see this team ending up? 7th, 8th at best? They have completely exceeded expectations so far. They are good enough to win a round, maybe 2 in the playoffs. If that happens, we should all be satisfied. It's a major step in the right direction if you ask me.
The goaltending is a major issue. This team also needs another PMD. Maybe Murray can address that in the offseason. In the meantime, enjoy the ride
bring on saturday...
carkner v orr (round 4)
rest of sens D should try to put kessel through the boards.
put that 5-0 loss into the distant memory.
Elliot or Leclair...who cares, as long as they don't give up anything early.
Not so sure about Cullen, despite his goal. I really like Sutton and what he brings to the team.
From the Ottawa Sun:
“We needed a shakeup, but we needed (Leclaire) to be better as well,” said Clouston.
Is he concerned about his goalie’s confidence?
“Yeah, obviously that’s a concern. But we’re also trying to win games, and we felt at that particular time our guys needed a kick in the pants.”
Asked if he considered taking a timeout rather than pulling Leclaire, Clouston said: “No, we did the right move.”
Leclaire was stunned. As he sat in the chair reserved for visiting goalies — by himself, across the ice from the bench — you could almost see the steam coming out from under his collar.
“You’d like to have the chance to battle it out, but it’s a coaching decision,” he said.
Was he surprised to be pulled so early?
“A little bit, usually 2-0 ... there’s not a whole lot to say. Cory decided that maybe it was better for the team to make the change, get a spark or something. I don’t know.”
... Someone said send him down to Bingo for a conditioning stint, I dunno if you can based on his contract and waivers and all that, but it would be a good idea, so he can get some playing time and regain his form and his confidence..
I understand all the Elliott supporters, your points are all justified.. but whats with everyone calling for Brodeur? He has been bouncing around the league for years now. In the games he played, he didnt make any great saves, he stood his ground, and the team in front of him stepped it up big time.. A majority of SENS fans only cheer for the hot hand (the "what have you done for me lately" goalie), and its disgusting! No wonder analysts call Ottawa a graveyard for goalies.. they come here, get their confidence shatterred, and never play the same again..
Anyone else like the Cullen-fisher-alfie line at the end
I apologize if this has been said already, but I just don't get why Clouston isn't giving Leclaire a better shot. From this point on every time Leclaire lets a goal in he will be wondering if he is abbout to get yanked. Leclaire needs some games.
What's our record without cheechoo in the lineup?
I know we can complain about the goalies but if I have to wait for Kovalev another 2 months to get his legs back I'm going to freak
SKATE !!!!! A@@WHOLE
I can't believe anyone is defending Leclaire. The first goal was 100% his fault - you don't shoot it into traffic like that. All that can happen is you are stranded out of position and panicked to get back in the net. Then he follows the man instead of the puck leaving him a gaping hole to tap his own rebound in. You expect better positioning out of a junior B goalie. The second goal was tough and Kelly having the brain cramp didn't help but once again a very savable shot except Leclaire's positioning was so bad there wasn't a hope. Clouston was right to yank him and would be right sitting him on the bench as the back-up for the rest of the season.
It will take a few games to adjust , I just think the chemistry has been disrupted a little
Cheechoo is in AHL
Campoli , Kuba, Foligno out with injuries
Sutton , Cullen are new
Lee is a call up
Lots of people not in sync with the system right now...
with no leclaire theres no 2 weakys no empty netter , with no leclaire this was a 1-1 game!!!! enough said
There's no point hitting the panick button just yet, Carolina is currently the hottest team in the east, I would rather the sens stumble a bit now that right before the playoffs. This a good team; a team we've all seen lose 5 in a row then win the next 11. Go Sens go!
I do not know for sure but I think that the concussion is still bothering Leclaire. He seemed more than a step slow. Somewhat unfocussed. Personally,
I think he should have been sent down to Bingo to bring his game back up to an appropriate level. He has missed so much time due to injuries that it is unfair to him to be shoved back into the limelight without some gametime. I still think that Leclaire is the best goalie we have but he struggled badly on both goals.
I like Donovan over Winchester. I liked Sutton.
I am going to the game on Saturday. If you are a Sens fan please come to the game so that we are not overwhelmed by TO fans.
Why don't we send leclaire to bingo for a week where he can play multiple games in a row and get back into things. Brodeur is a worry back up for a week.
the Sens lost the mo-jo they had, I am not sure whats going on with Matt Cartner he is not playing well at all. perhaps he cannot handle the skill lavel teams are playing at now just before the playoffs. ???
Hopefully the Sens can get the wheels back on the wagon by demolishing t-dot on saturday. Cause those were two of the ugliest losses we've seen all season. Is it possible the Sens could have a meteoric flame out and miss the playoffs completely? Yes. But they won't.
Ottawa 5 t-dot 3
Anon @9:21, both goals were BRUTAL efforts by Leclaire. Go look at the replays of the 2nd one...JESUS, he's not even covering the bottom of the net! He barely looks like he's trying out there.
Trade him for a 7th rounder to anywhere, ANYWHERE, that would take this guy. He's another contract we're stuck with I think.
For all those serious posters who want Cheechoo back - there is a reason he is in the AHL - he was not producing or contributing to the team (other than being a nice guy) relative to the money he was making.
When you lose to one of the worst teams in the league, and your supposed starter lets in 2 goals on 3 shots...it is what it is.
Pathetic.
Since Cheechoo was waived, Sens have lost 3 and won 1 (and they didnt look all that good with that win either)
Just saying...
hate to say it, but if Mike Brodeur played we would be talking about a victory.
I think the team's issues stem back to before the Olympic break as well. The game against Detroit was not even the first sign...If you go back to the games against Washington, and even Calgary, the Sens just haven't been their dominating (and defensively-sound) selves since the Toronto game.
Elliott has definitely not been AS good as he was during the winning streak, but he has not been horrible either. Leclaire has not had a good showing in this decade, and IMO, Clouston did the right thing last night.
Our offense seems to be stagnant right now- Spezza seems to be the only player to have kept his consistency since the winning streak. IMO, Clouston is playing the likes of Ruutu, Kelly, and Fisher at the wrong times of the game, and is not creating a sense of accountability amongst the forwards. Fisher has seemingly returned to his form from last year, as he seems to be skating to the wrong areas of the ice, thus making him completely ineffective.
I do not understand why the likes of Regin and Shannon are not getting more opportunities during the game. They skate very well, night in and night out, and they work their tails off every shift, oftentimes resulting in offensive zone pressure. I like the idea of putting Kovalev with them, because he adds the passing/scoring ability to a very hard-working line, and Regin/Shannon compensate for Kovalev's lack of speed.
Defensively, as Dean Brown and Garry Galley mentioned last night, the team is backing up too far when opposing teams cross their blue line. Despite what has been said on here, I think Volchenkov has remained one of the most consistent D-men on the team. He is continually able to clear the zone and block shots.
IMO, Carkner is one of the big problems on this team's blue line. To be honest, I have not been a fan of his for a while, and I feel as if his role on this team has been embellished by both the fans and the coaching staff/management. He is not a smooth skater, he does not have a good first pass, and believe it or not, he does not even play a strong physical game (as a defenseman should). Fans tend to mistake his ability to fight with his inability to be physical (like Volchenkov, and apparently Sutton, are). I think once Campoli returns, he should take the spot of Carkner as the #6 defenseman, but I highly doubt that will happen.
To all those who are demanding for Cheechoo to return, it is clear that you do not watch many hockey games, because to the people who actually watch the games and have seen Cheechoo get his chance on this team, it is clear that he is not "The Answer" (a.k.a. Oleg Saprykin).
The Sens have a very good team, so do not get me wrong. However, there are a select group of individuals (such as Fisher and Carkner) who just seem to be lost on the ice. Even when Alfie, Michalek, Kovalev, and Volchenkov don't play to the best of their abilities, they play a whole lot better than Fisher, and most definitely Carkner, have been for a long time now.
This team just needs a bit of a spark. Believe it or not, I think fans will be surprised by the impact that the returns of Nick Foligno and Chris Campoli will have, as they were both playing very well prior to their injuries, and will add an element of speed and grit to the roster.
Should be a good game on Saturday. Hopefully Clouston is able to add a sense of urgency into they locker room.
WHINERS!!! YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF CRYING WHINNINH WHINERS!!!!!HOCKEY IS A MANS SPORT!!
GOOOO SENATORS GOOOOOO
There have to be questions answered.
1.00 over 11 games.
Then .428 over last 7 games.
From an analytical standpoint why the huge empirical discrepancy? What happened?
Note the .428 started with a terrible team like Toronto... and Saturday night is tomorrow.
Is it just me or does it seem like Senschirp is always whining about the reality we all see. Used to like coming here but cant stand how sensitive and personal Senschirp takes everything. Don’t get me wrong I am pro Sens but come on man take off the rose colour glasses once in a while.
Anon@11:06 AM,
Reality "you all" see? You sure about that?
You should see some of the comments I go through.
I have been and always will be about supporting the team rather than trying to tear it down.
That's just me though...
So now your bashing chirp for not bashing our team??? wtf??? in ontario , you have a choice , so go cheer the blue team dumbass!!!
I don't know, it seems pretty simple to me; we need leclaire to find his game back (whether is starting or backup). Why don't they just send the poor guy down to bingo for reconditioning? All the other teams do it all the time, get a goalie off of injuries to start in the AHL for 5-10 games as the starter, get the rust off, and then move him back to the big league where he can be given a chance.
It makes me happy to see so many people not give up on him, and who could be really surprised that he got off to a bad start last night....WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME HE PLAYED A GAME!?!? He's rustier than the tinman after a year in a sauna.
Send the poor guy down, bring brodeur back up, he's a great backup for elliot...maybe i'm just an idiot and not seeing the big picture. maybe clouston just doesn't like the guy, i dunno.
i know , lets all whine and bash our team through tough times....OR suck it up , take it like a man and support our team through these god awful tiny TWO losses!!! man i dont get some of you guys , its like you sit and wait for us to loose LOL be thankful theres a team in this city and GET YOUR HEAD OUTTA YOUR ASS!!!
GO SENS GO-FOREVER!!!!
Stop bashing Chirp, you idiot! He does a great job updating us and pointing out key things about each game. The problem is that we get too down on our team and don't cheer, not even at SBP! We need to chant Alfy's name and cheer him every time he touches the puck when the Blue Team assholes boo him!
NO DOUBT why ppl bashing chirp?? dont know if you read the name right on the site , its SENS chirp, incase you didnt know!!!
man some ppls kids are retarded
Amen Chirp,
I as well as any of you is feeling angry about the loss but enough is enough with throwing the team or one of the players under the bus. The key word here is team. They win as one and they lose as one.
To those of you (respecting chirp by not calling some of you names although I really want to) saying Leclaire sucks, or how they miss Gerber, he was hung out to dry. Both those guys had a Cane sitting in front of the net, wide open. I certainly do not fault him on the first one and on the 2nd one, the guy was flying right to left with no one in his way. A goalie has no choice but to open up some holes in order to get across the net quickly. Look at it this way, if he would have made that save, you would have been very excited and telling everyone today about what a save he made, so if that is the case then maybe it was not such an easy save to make. I do not blame Leclaire, I blame the whole team for these last 2 but cheering them on and think they have what it takes no matter what. Just a couple of bad games.
One the second note, what is with all these people saying Clouston is favouring his bingo guys, he has no bingo guys, he has Senators and Senators only. Elliot was an in game decision, not because Elliot played in Bingo, but because he felt he had to do something to shake the team up and try and change the game. He was playing Elliot before the break because we were winning games and Elliot was playing well not because he was with him in Bingo. Shannon is a very hard worker, just watch him out there, he tries extremely hard and makes some nice plays a lot of the time. He is always in the face of the opponent and trying to steal pucks away, he is always hard on the forecheck, putting pressure on them to make a pass rather than gingerly skate it out of their own zone in order to set something up. And if Shannon cannot steal the puck or cause havoc, he has the speed to get back in the play. Again, it has nothing to do with favoring BINGO guys. It is about winning games as Senators head coach.
just give it a rest and cheer for you team people. Enough is Enough
Go Sens Go!!!!!!
I just don't get you people. I'd hate to play for fans like you. Your team is sitting 3rd in the East and you are complaining as though the sky was falling. Ask Leaf fans if they'd trade spots with you...
HEY LETS FIRE CLOUSTON AND MURRAY SINCE WE LOST 2 GAMES
what's the difference between a conditioning stint and someone on a one-way contract being sent down and having to clear waivers?
I've been thinking for a while that Leclaire needs time in the minors to find his game. We need Brodeur to get is going on another streak... :-)
WOW im liking the last bit of comments here , makes me happy knowing theres some ppl out there that do love this team...rock on guys
SENS4LIFE
Hi
Andrew Ladd of the Chicago Blackhawks here, I'd just like to say thanks for all the support your forum site has given me over the past few months.
Your continued efforts to get me traded from the place I call home is most appreciated.
I've spoken to my GM and he is hopeful that because of all the interest I should be able to be traded to the Senators in the summer, apparently it's between me and Colby Armstrong - I hate that guy by the way, have you seen how pointy his nose is?
I've also spoken to my agent and he would love to pass on his thanks too because he thinks all these Andrew Ladd to Ottawa rumours will really drive up my price when it comes to my next contract extension.
Once again - thanks for everything.
"Anon@11:06 AM,
Reality "you all" see? You sure about that?
You should see some of the comments I go through.
I have been and always will be about supporting the team rather than trying to tear it down.
That's just me though..."
AMEN CHIRP AMEN!!!!!
I get extremely pissed off about some of the comments I read on here bashing the Sens, I can only imagine the ones you have to read and never let through. I applaud you. If I was in your shoes, this site would die as I would have no time to post updates, I would be spending too much time arguing with idiots like that lol
Stick with it man, I just wanted to make sure you knew there are some of us out there that are on the same page as you.
Anon @ 11:06 beat it dude. If you don't like what you are reading, then do not read it. Plain and simple. This is a place for people to share their opinions about the Sens and you bash the owner of the site for sharing his. LOL get bent. You must have a miserable life dude. I feel sorry for you.
Go Sens, you can turn it around boys!!!!!
problem Ottawa fans: Media Sales the media needs to make money on ad sales / Sun / Citzen etc and Radio along with TV, we only have one pro team in Ottawa incase you did not notice ha, So its not the fans the media goes over an over the stuff thats really not an problem but keeps you tuned in and reading the papers. / SALES. we need a nother pro team in Ottawa football Soocer, it would take some of the attenation off the sens.
These guys need to wake up an get back into their groove!! Leclaire should have stayed in and fought through it in my opinion.. we better not get embarrased by the laughs again!
I can't believe some dude just bashed SC. The fact that he volunteers major amounts of his personal time to keep us "fans" up-to-date on Sens info is amazing. He's always the first to post anything major.
Even if Chirp happened to be the biggest douche in the world (and I'm sure he's certainly not), you have to commend him for this amazing site. Thanks again Chirp. You have my respect.
As for the Sens, they're allowed to lose a few brutal games. It happens. I'm sure the wins we'll pull together will be just as impressive as the losses we just saw. Stay positive guys.
The game against the leafs is going to be tough. They've lost a few in a row and a due for a better game sometime soon. I'm obviously routing for the Sens but I'm really not sure who will win this game. All I really know is that I hate the leafs.
Donovan is a machine. How can you not be inspired by the man? Low salary, hard working, energy guy, barely gives the puck away, and never complains about his AHL demotion and lack of major NHL playing time. I'd love to see him traded to a team that can actually use him regularly. He deserves a better shot.
Personally, if i had to come to this site to see senschirp bashing the team every loss, and cheering them on every win, i wouldnt come. We realize most of that game was a stinker, and its hard to see positives. Coming to this site to get some positive insight is good and i'm sorry if you don't agree anon @11:06, but if you dont like it go to tsn and sportsnet. They will bash this team to pieces when they can. Senschirp is about the only place to avoid that. Keep up the good work sc.
Go Sens Go!
Let's go boys!!!
Some things to take away from this game.
- first:
Leclaire did not look the best but his attidude when he was pulled was unbelievable. If you are pulled for whatever reason you take it like a man and support the guy coming in, the stare back at the bench I am sure was not appericated by T1000.
Carkner did look slow and maybe a little winded at times. I think olympic break may have been too much and he was not hitting the gym everyday. I am sure he will get back up to speed shortly.
Line chemstry at the begining was off and no one was doing their defensive coverage.
+ notes:
Elliot came in and made big saves when needed the goal that was allow by him was not his fault.
Switching the lines to:
Malhalek/Spezza/Neil
Cullen/Fisher/Alfie
Shannon/Regin/Kovelev
Ruutu/Kelly/Donovan
Seem to work well.
I thought before the break Cheechoo was starting to step into that roll on the wing with Spezza it is a shame of his cap hit because for lower price it would have worked.
Sutton also played well so, there is positive to take away from this game. Lets hope for a good outing against the leafs tomorrow night before the Western swing.
Chirp, Keep up the great work!!
Might need a LIVE blog against the Loafs tommorow. It seems like everytime you have one we play well and get the W.
To all the bandwagoners please take a look at the current standings. 3RD IN THE EAST AND 1ST IN THE DIVISION. NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS TEAM WOULD BE CHALLENGING FOR HOME ICE ADVANTAGE AT THE START OF THE YEAR!!
(Sorry for the CapsLock. The fans in this city piss me off)
#9 Milan
Clouston is biased, say what you want.
Pulling Leclaire was a mistake, we all confirmed that. For us to have any kind of deep push, we need Leclaire...not Elliot.
And for those who say Elliot got us where we are today, I ask you, how many game did we win because of him.....0.
The last couple games before the break the Sens were playing 500 hockey and looked flat. I really do think sending a guy like Cheechoo down has left a sour feeling in that locker room. Cheech was also a guy who helped make others on his various line combinations better. He was generally able to find decent chemistry with anyone. I don't think it's the whole reason by any stretch of the imagination, but it's for sure part of it.
All that being said I think the Sens will be fine. They just need to pick up the intensity and battle a lot better. The third period of last nights game was a bit better. Even the second period was decent. We tied them 1-1 through the final two frames.
Really the main thing they need to do is just simplify the game. Clean up play at the bluelines, be much more physical, be hard on the puck, and make sure to get the puck through to the net at every opportunity. If they do that they'll start winning again.
Right now the way they are trying to manufacture offense with badly timed little cutesy passes is creating offense the other way. If they just dump the puck hard down low and win the battles & then take the puck to the net they'll be able to create offense without giving up constant 3-2's the other way. Lots of little things but I'm confident it's just rust and Clouston can handle it.
It's not that they lost 2 games -- it's HOW they lost. They have lost 3 of the last 4 and have not been playing well, even before the break in those last 2 games. I'm not sure what happened but don't blame it on the Olympic break. Maybe they got to cocky -- too high on themselves. Trying to be too fancy instead of just shooting the puck. Yeah Kovalev -- two on one with a straight line to the net to shoot and you passed the puck -- what was that? The players are making bad decisions with the puck -- both offensively and defensively. They certainly are not helping the goalies at all. I think Leclaire has to play -- but not with the Sens. Send him to Bingo for a conditioning stint for about 3 weeks.... call up Brodeur on emergency basis... maybe that will do the trick.
If I'm Clouston today -- I bag skate those guys into the ground. Wake them up. They are losing ground to the teams below them -- losing the points between them and 6th place. Sens will be in 5th place by tomorrow morning as the Sabres will beat Philly tonight -- Philly has no goaltending. If the Sens play the way the have been against the Leafs on Sat -- it could get ugly. The Leafs are young and fast -- can't believe I'm saying that as I hate them.. but if Sens don't smarten up.. this could be a loss to the worst team in the conference tomorrow night -- but maybe that would wake them up -- or shame them... they need something.
Seems like every time Leclaire has started since the injury the team has been garbage in front of him. Last night wasn't on Leclaire. I'd like him to get another kick at the can before counting him out. Once he loses a game when the team plays decent to well then I'll judge.
SM, Clouston is not biased. A man can make mistakes (or what we may call mistakes without ever knowing the whole story)
Maybe it was a mistake pulling Leclaire, I kinda thought so but I certainly will not chalk it up as favoritism.
Elliot is playing better than Leclaire right now and if you want to call it favortism, go ahead. but I think it is a just a coach trying to do his job.
Are you trying to tell me that if Leclaire was playing better than Elliot right now that Clouston would be playing Elliot because he is his favorite?
Laughable at best man. No coach would last in any league if they did that.
Elliot is playing better and therefore is the favorite. Has nothing to do with coaching him in Bingo.
We won't be in 3rd for long playing the way we are.
Saying the team played like shit after they played like shit doesn't make you less of a fan.
Pulling Leclaire was a mistake we all confirmed that
excellent because we all is exactly who I want behind the bench for the rest of the season
Pretty crappy couple games but it happens nothing to worry about
Clouston did the right thing by pulling Leclaire. Yes, he has his favourites, that's no secret. But that's all the reason for Leclaire to step up when given the opportunity, and he failed to do so. Hopefully that will piss him off enough to work on his mental game to perform the next time he's given an opportunity.
Carkner is worthless - I truly mean that.
Brian Lee should be traded for a bag of pucks.
Alfie needs to get over the fact that the Swedes didn't medal.
Volchenkov needs to start skating again.
Wah wah wah...that's all I seem to hear lately. On the ice, I see a sub-par product which, on paper, should be FAR better.
Man...that felt good.
Go Sens Go, but step it up boys.
The sens are losing because of stupidity, not cuz they r a bad team or anything like that. Some of their choices at both ends of the rink are head-scratchers at the least. I dont understand how a defensive system can just collapse all of a sudden. A team cannot just forget how to play D. There was even one point in the game where i saw three senators standing in the slot, arms length appart from each other, and no Hurricane in sight. They need to wake up!!!!!!!
Post a Comment