Before the game the talk was split between Fisher's return and a milestone for Phillips but in the end it was the likeable Phillips that stole the headlines.
As the camera panned to Phillips in the third period, minutes after he scored his second goal of the night, and with the chants of "Phillips! " echoing through SBP, you could see just how much this night meant to him. Phillips is as nice a guy as you'll find in this league and to see him get rewarded on such an important night is a moment Sens fans won't soon forget.
Perhaps lost in the magic of the night, this is a huge win for the Ottawa Senators.
They came into this one having lost seven straight and desperately needed a W heading into the final date of this five game home stand on Saturday.
When Jason Spezza is playing well, the Sens are winning. It's that simple. Spezza scored twice in this one, and added an assist on a second period goal by Phillips. The line of Spezza, Michalek and Butler looked dangerous for most of the night and provided the home side with some much needed offence.
Michalek and Butler each picked up two assists.
Alex Auld started his first game of 2012 and backstopped the Sens to an important win. Auld was not tested a whole lot but made some important stops along the way. Will be interesting to see who MacLean goes to next time out.
With the win and a Leafs loss, the Senators now jump back ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs for 7th in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa takes on the ridiculously hot Sam Gagner and his Edmonton Oilers teammates on Saturday afternoon.
- Kudos to Ottawa Senator fans for giving Mike Fisher an excellent ovation during a first period stoppage. Mike Fisher was one of the most liked players in the history of this franchise and he deserved the cheers he received. Fisher talked about the tribute after the game. "The team did a great job with the video. It was an emotional time - I almost wish I had a tinted visor."
- Bob McKenzie talked about Erik Karlsson contract talks and indicated that discussion between the two sides will begin either this week or next. McKenzie talked a little bit about how much Karlsson could get and suggested it will be somewhere between Letang ($3.5) and Doughty ($7.0). Early speculation has Karlsson landing in the neighbourhood of $5.0-$5.5 million a season.
good game for spez, buts, milan and phillips.
Let's see at least 14 more wins like this one so we can make the playoffs.
Not sure who I would like to see play in nets. Do we go with Auld and see if he can get a streak going or will Anderson be rested enough to put up a solid effort.
Haha did he actually? Dayuuum but anyways great game for us great game for the 1st line im surprised butler played so well. Well if you ask me though karlsson hasn't been playing to hot lately.
Alfredsson told him to cool it so his agent wouldn't demand 8mil per year.
Jerkoff Jim Jerome has been FIRED FIRED FIRED
Proud to wear my "1st pick in 96" autographed jersey to every game.
Hope that the performance quiets the Phillips haters for a bit.
Make it happen BM.
Watching the standings makes me nervous. Leafs, Caps, and Panthers ready to jump us with a win.. they have a couple of games in hand. Here's to hoping the Laffs drop the next 10 games.
What a game guys. All 4 lines rolling pretty well, Auld wasn't tested too hard and Spezza showed how happy he was to be reunited with Butler. Great game to be at and glad we got the losing streak over.
GO SENS GO!!!
Why was Jungle fired? This is pretty good news. He single handedly ruined TGOR mornings. The guy is just an absolute moron. Pierre is going to miss him I'm sure haba
Well, I'll tell you this - the Habs can keep their Anchorage-one-g oal-gettin Pandeco, I'll keep El RIGGO SUPREMO.
Now then, see you on Saturday at SBP at 2pm for a fast paced thrashing of the Oilers. #daydrunk.
GFS! (Go F**kin Sens!)
~Peluso
lee looked very confident with the puck tonight
and congrats and thanks for everything especially tonights amazing game big rig!
This is great. I had to stopnlistening in the morning because Listening to jim was just getting horrible. Everything he said was always wrong, his facts were just way off. If he'd just watch sportsdesk for 1 hour a day he'd know something about the world of sports instead of making half comments about something and hope Steve or JR would help him.
The team also fired Phil Melsonon. I wasn't a big fan of him either. Not nice to see people lose their jobs but i know i'll like the morning shows better.
Now just need to get rid of the jim rome show and jim filling time repeating the same thing over and over for 10 minute before moving on.
It's called being a fan. Give it a try.
LOL.. Yeah seriously.. What the hell is fake about it? I don't have any illusions about who Phillips is now, he's had his better years.. But yesterday was his day and he came out like a bat out of hell.. Last nights game was vintage Big Rig, he was hitting anything around and on top of that potted 2 goals, how could you not be impressed by that performance?
I really enjoyed Jim Jerome adding a bit of color to the TGOR mornings.... I'll miss his mom's NFL prognostication too.
Why did these guys get "fired"?
I liked Spezza's tonight proves there are hockey gods.
They were looking over phillips last night thats for sure.
Butler played a great game.
Auld was ok enough for the win, if we played like that in front of Anderson we would get some shut outs.
Obviously Spezza is the "future" Captain, but last night's performance in such a huge night, but more importantly as Chirp pointed out, such a huge GAME, really makes me think that we should give Philly the "C" for a two or three years.
Call me crazy.
Maybe I'm still drunk.
Let's win these next four games.
Go Sens.
If Alfredsson plays one more season, and the indications seem to be that he will, then Phillips would have 1 year left on his contract when Alfie retires.
Once Alfredsson goes we need to make a full jump to the future. Phillips would be nothing more than an interim captain and that isn't what is needed.
With no Alfie the team belongs to Spezza and Karlsson.
CTV Ottawa restructured/do wnsized/layed-o ff 16 people yesterday: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/02/09/ctv-ottawa-cfra-face-layoffs
Love him or hate him as a radio personality, Jerome and the other didn't deserve this. All of these people were busy doing precisely the things the company asked them to do when they were hired. They didn't fall short. The company just doesn't "need" them anymore. To cheer just because you don't like his "schtick", or that of any of the CTV Ottawa staff that were layed-off (Michael Harris, Tina Sapp, Mike Sutherland, etc.), lacks class.
I think the fans deserve honourable mention for this win, we were loud and proud - do yourself a favour, pick up some tickets and show your support.
Why cant you play like that everygame?!?!
Please dont tell me we have to wait till 2000 games
Spezza and Michalek showed up and thats what we need more of!
He plays so much better when he hits. I hope he keeps that up.
Spezza is the captain when Alfie retires - no question about it. He was really "feeling it" last night - unreal.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy Phillips!
Nice to see Fisher get a great reception too.
Hartnell is my favorite non-Sen!
Jungle Jim is an ass and whether he was asked to be and ass or not I'm glad he's not on TGOR anymore. Steve Warne is "colorful" enough for my taste. Jim was just a slobbering manchild.
Wow - even Tookie is geeking out over Phillips. Welcome to the club Tooks!
Just saying it should have been mentioned somewhere...
Anyone else getting this?
Me too.
Yeah, happening to me too...
The Fisher ovation was awesome, and the video put together by the organization was a really nice touch. The chants after both of Phillips' goals were tons of fun. He definitely played his best game in a long, long time. It was really nice to have so much energy in the building, even coming in on a pretty nasty losing skid!
I think the bus driver, who hit one of the parking booths at the gates to the lot, (I'm sure the girl inside was terrified) said it best: "We're going on a 14 game winning streak!" I hope she's right.
btw, the day feels super normal with the sens above the leafs in the standings.
also, great game by the team last night. everyone was ALL in, although they could have buried more PPs, but i wont dwell on that small negative today. Gonchar still could do better too.
Good games from the sens rookies though. Cowen, Lee, Greening, Smith, O'Brien, Condra, Daugavins, Butler, Turris all had solid games.
Yep, hard to hide the comments against Outlook when it is a black background.
p.s. Tookie I think your account has been hacked, this is not you.
Dont get me wrong I'm happy for him that he had a great game but he's still Chris Phillips, its not like he instantly changed to this superstar defenceman overnight. He did have a couple of brutal giveaways right up the middle resulting in Auld making a big save.
Unlike you I dont hold out any hope for Phillips to find his game of old, thats long gone and aint coming back. He is playing his last contract in the NHL.
Very short-sighted of them to get rid of Sudsy too imho. When this city gets football back in a couple years, they'll wish they had his insight around.
The excuse that this was just business and "unavoidable," is laughable. I'm so sure that Bell couldn't afford these salaries on its books.
On the topic at hand, it was awesome to see #4 have such an incredible night, and good on the fans for giving both him and Fish the standing o.
As a fan we sometimes have to sepreate the business from the human aspect
I admit that I have not been a great fan of the Big Rig, the last couple of years, but as I have also mentioned he has been a great battle soldier and at the same time I do remember fondly some of his great years here in Ottawa and am still very happy for him.
As a Sens fan wanting the best for my team, sometimes I would rather not have Phillips in my top 6, but as a person, I admit that we have been fortunate to have him play for us in his best years, and even more fortunate to have someone of his character in our beloved city.
From a business perspective if we could get a first round draft pick for him... lets get r done
Congrats to Chris "Big Rig" Phillips to a great career.
you are quite the pessimist Tookie. when was the last time you saw Chris Phillips zoom in to dump a rebound on a PP? that too against Nashville. he clearly had an extra doze of energy going through him last night. it may only be one night and it may be as you say his last contract in the NHL. But it may also be a re-inspiration. Its not like he has mentally forgotten how to be the same good player he was. So there is still half a chance for him to reclaim his abilities because as long as his mind is upto it, he just has to put his body to it.
Based on his play over the past two years, I agree with you logically. But the fan in me sees the amazing story it would be if Phillips finished his career with the senators. Trust me as far as his age (33) is concerned and injury history, this guy can go a long way still.
sometimes its just about confidence and belief in yourself. last night may have just brought some of that back to him.
just jokin
Good to see Special K finally rushing the puck end to end, again. That seemed to disappear from his game for the last month or so.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13738/hope_remains_for_ottawa_senators2007_draft_class/
Ben Blood's "incident" (this is being generous) was to sucker punch a guy in a handshake line. Showed no class obviously. I'd like to think the Sens are the kind of organization that doesnt want that crap in thier system. Hopefully he matures fast, otherwise, don't need that guy around no matter what he could bring to the team.
you are quite the pessimist Tookie. when was the last time you saw Chris Phillips zoom in to dump a rebound on a PP? that too against Nashville. he clearly had an extra doze of energy going through him last night. it may only be one night and it may be as you say his last contract in the NHL. But it may also be a re-inspiration. Its not like he has mentally forgotten how to be the same good player he was. So there is still half a chance for him to reclaim his abilities because as long as his mind is upto it, he just has to put his body to it. /quote]
I commend your desrire to defend Phillips and i admit that I loved his game yesterday and am delighted he celebrated his 1000th game in style. We all know Tookie is a pessimist but we also all know that Phillips has struggled a lot the past 2 or 3 years - even though he is much better this year than last.
It is amusing to me that you start your defense of Phillips by highlighting just how rare a game like this is from him these days "when was the last time...." isn't a great validiction to be sure.
I don't like the 3rd year of the Phillips deal (the money is an irrelevance) but I appreciate that Phillips is a good guy to have around and is teaching the youngsters something of what it takes to be an NHL player on and off the ice.
I hope he rcovers some of his lost game, and i hope this game is evidence of that. I think it's more likely it's nothing more than a delightful anomaly.
and after reading the article that @Sensnation posted showing that jim was a defeceman in college than switched to forward when he joined the WHL explains a lot.
we all knew he is a long term project and i hope this offseason he thinks about putting a bit more size so he can try to keep a spot on that 4th line.
Is anyone else terrified of Alex Auld. I was a the game so I didn't see all the replays, but I don't think he froze the puck for the first half of the game. We need to get Lehner up here for a bit, or find anyone else. Aulds game is gone....
..smith is better.. so is Michalek.. and alfie isn't that great defensively anymore. no offense #11
other than that, you're right.
So whom would you rather have ... Phillips or Volchenkov?
On a side note, the hockey leavue i play in has a poll for who is most deserving of the Norris, Karlsson led all 5 candidates in voting, and theres not many Sens fans out this way.
Jim O'Brien lets not get our hopes up - this guy will not be a member of the SENS next year. I feel that he'll even be released. I don't understand why Mike Hoffman is not with the team instead(or Peterssen or DaCosta). Anyhow - happy the Sens won.
Before us Sens fans (how dare we) could complain to the bartender, the guy that actually asked to see the basketball game spoke up and said "no no, I don't need the basketball game on, switch it back to the Sens".
We eventually got the game back on the big screen, but I gotta wonder if the owner knows hes got a douchebag bartender working hard at pissing off clients on a game night.
(sigh) Sorry...my patience with Leafs fans is running thin lately. Bunch of un-classy knob-gobblers, all of em.
and speaking of 1000th games played, a huge amount of respect to the Brian Murray drafted Thomas Holmstrom who plays his 1000th tonight. Homer is a hockey player's hockey player. Murray was a genious for recognizing that. Possibly his first of many truly great draft picks. Much respect to Homer.
sorry for the somewhat off topic, not entirely sens related comment.
You praise the guy then nickname him "Homer", LOL. Call him Holms or Holmsy but not Homer, lol!
Might as well use the nickname he's had since he entered the league. Move along Tookie.
I'm pretty sure that's what they call him Detroit, no?
I was at the game.. it was great. Phillips had the best game I have seen from him in several years. Butler & Lee both looked good as well. Let's hope this team has turned the corner.. and goes on a winning streak. They need to keep winning as the teams close to them in the standings have games in hand.. which they have to be forced to win to get ahead of the Sens.
I'm sure Phillips was motivated from playing his 1,000th game.. having his family there and seeing his young children at the glass during the warmup with their poster congratulating their Daddy on his 1,000th game..
It was great to see Fisher last night. He may not be in a Sens jersey anymore.. but in our hearts (especially the female ones) he will always be a Senator. Classy guy...
As for the Bell Media firings.. they have to save money right... they need to pay their share of owning the Leafs...
Hoping for a win tomorrow against Edmonton and my favorite non-Sens player in Eberle.. Let's hope the Phillips ceremony motivates them again..
#sarcasm. Awesome to finally see a win again last night. And couldn't be happier for the Big Rig, who is definitely deserving! Keep it up boys!
Seems like that REALLY got under his skin so would love to rub his horse-face in it!
Holmström is known to many fans in Detroit by the nickname of "Homer." He acquired the nickname "Demolition Man" while playing in Sweden (where he was also called "Holma").
Demolition Man is so much better!! LOL
You could see the Senators felt urgency in this game. Spezza was moving, Butler was hovering and Big Rig (great job by the way) wasn't standing still, he was moving into open ice, making space and some solid hits. He had many shifts playing in spots we normally don't see him play, like flying past the crease to score his 2nd. A few of his shifts reminded me a little of EK in the offensive zone. Normally he tends to hang by the line, but tonight, he had that jump in his stride. It was great to see, but I wouldn't expect to see him do that often.
Alot of great stories in that game for sure, but the stories of the game in my mind were scoring 2 power play goals, Auld getting his 2nd win and putting us back in the W column. The Sens are now in a position where they need to play consistant. Having a backup who may now have a little confidence and a team who will have confidence with him in net will go along way. As long as they can keep it up, we could be in a good position.
Can't wait for Hockey Day In Canada. Bring on the Oil
He basically says that The Murrays, Dorion and Melnyk all agree that its a 3 year plan, and if a trade were to happen at the deadline it is not just for a rental, it has to be part of the 3 year plan that could help the team down the line to get it back as a Stanley Cup contender and not just to beef up for this year's playoffs.
Its up on here http://www.facebook.com/TEAM1200
Ottawa had scouts at Jackets Dallas game last night
thought you were serious for a second. good fun.
Totally disagree. These people are in the entertainment business, not the gov't... results matter. When they stop being entertaining, the company stops making money. The company asked Jerome to be entertaining, so that listeners would continue to listen to commercials. That's called revenue - generally, a pretty important thing for a company. Jusdging from the comments on this board and among my co-workers and friends, lots of folks stopped listening... I know I did. He ABSOLUTELY fell short. It's a results-based industry just like the NHL... just ask Filatov.
I think just before the end of the game.. Blood and the other player got into some type of scuffle. Something really upset Blood and he let his emotions get out of control. He was stripped of his asst captaincy.. but was still playing about 35 min a game in the next game. Not sure why they have that handshake at the end of every game... I'm surprised more of this does not happen.
No worry.. he will be in Binghamton or Ottawa in a couple of months. He's in his last year of NCAA.
At the Leafs last game in Ottawa -- there were fans in the 300's that had letters on their white t-shirts.. when put together -- they spelt - Suck It Phaneuf... that was the best part of that game.
I think most of us knew that was Ottawa's plan, or idea anyway. As much fun as it is to talk trades, they would never have went after a rental. The past has shown that teams who advance and win the cup have a solid balance of youth and vetern leadership. If Ottawa is picking up someone, it's going to be someone they know, who will be with the long for awhile, vet or youngster, it doesn't matter. I think it's more about finding someone to fit the mold at a good price. Everyone is epecting a younger player, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them pick up and sign someone who has some experience and someone who will stay in the system for 3 or 4 years.
Yup and the best part of the Islanders game was the dude with the baby in his lap and little voice bubbles - one said "Suck it Phaneuf".
Z. Parise
J. Carter
R. Nash
R. Suter
S. Weber
All fit into the 3 year rebuild and are worth anything we have.
Its very intriguing, would a combo of Parise and Suter tip the scales towards a Cup?
Hey thanks sandy, I didn't know they did handshakes at the end of every game, that does somewhat diminish their meaning. you're right, it is surprising it doesnt happen more often.
I actually (partly) disagree. While that literal act is classless one can assume something led to it and Ben felt he was standing up for his team.
I think Murray wants to always have an element of that on the team. Whether it's a Ruutu/Konopka type guy or Carkner/Neil type.
He just doesn't spout off to the media about "truculence" but his comments on Foligno and some other comments about other players makes me think he was probably kinda happy about that "incident".
why would you not be jeeze....its a friggin competetive game ....so what if he tried to sucker punch the guy, its a slam-dunk that he must have had something leading up to it, and yes there actually was something that led up to it earlier. if anything it shows there is a ruthlessly competetive and aggressive guy in the sens system. and yea, i'd like him to sucker punch a leafs player when the time comes.......why not?
i mean lets face it guys, there are a lot of cheap-shot artists skating around in the NHL right now. us ottawa fans have seen the likes of Marchand and Kaleta run around like idiots. a guy like Ben Blood on your team and those bozos will definitely know they have to be ready to pay for shit they pull off.
I'm sure Ben Blood regrets doing it, wouldnt do it again, but wont change his game otherwise. At least I hope so.
god how I wish we could pack out SBP next time the loafs come to town and scream that abuse at phaneuf all night long. nothing gets up my nose like the toronto and mtl fans that go to games in ottawa and boo alfie.
'suck it phaneuf' should become ottawa's version of 'Potvin sucks'
another suprsing thing about him to me was how thick (muscle wise) he is. he is much bigger in person than i expected.
anyways im just sharing this to let you know if daug has a great game tomorrow it might have to do with the father factor whom i asssume will attend tomorrows game
Murray isn't going to trade for any of these guys so our best bet is to go after Parise and Suter in free agency. Rumor is that those two guys are best friends and want to sign with the same team this summer. We definitely have the cap space to sign them both to pretty significant deals.
Since the game today is at 2 PM, are you posting Game Day
thread soon ??
First two goals of the season, What a coincidence...
Real team guy
Even better why don't you just move to Toronto and you can get it any time you want... not so much of an upgrade for you though
i think he is being sarcastic miguel
I do like 1200 and although jerome could get sometimes annoying he did add some comic relief at times, and truly I feel bag anytime anyone loses their jobs.
My mistake Manotick
The Sens have been a Jeckyl and Hyde team this year, and sometimes they look great, and other times quite bad...
I truly hope we get the speed, forecheck, relentless 200ft game, senators and not the slow, cant get out of our zone, no forecheck, sens.
If we get off slow to this young speed Oilers team, we could be in for a long day.
If we come out blazing, we could be in for a real barn burner.
And if Phillips can get 2 goals every game from here on out, he will have close to 50! :)
Someone should just tell him, "Hey Big Rig, its your 1000th game" just like groundhog day :)
Lets go Sens!!!
EEEEEEEEEYORE !
And we absolutely neeed a NJ win against the Panthers to keep Florida back! Same goes for Mtl.
GO SENS GO
Michalek= ICE COLD.
Afie= RELIABLE.
WTF
cbc.ca my man. that's the stream.
Who scored
never mind they just said on the jets game alfie scored for Ottawa
http://www.lshunter.tv/index.php?option=com_lsh&view=lsh&event_id=81676&tid=242579&channel=0&tmpl=component&layout=popup&Itemid=327
Why ?
Wake the fuck up and play in your own zone. Peewee players know how to play better defense than that.
Fuck sakes.
That's unacceptable.
Glad we at least got a point, but still.
This should have been an easy win and the Sens blew it.
Paul Maclean needs to do something about the defence.
go habs
fuck man
Why, to constantly listen to Leafs talk? No thank you.
I really don't think Anderson was horrible today... The Sens D can't handle speed and the Oiler forwards have that in spades... Sens forwards can't contain them either.
The difference in this game was Khabibulin...
THANK YOU CAREY PRICE.
Critical Leafs loss for the Sens.
They are in 7th yes, but with 3-5 games in hand on everyone in the east, there is no way to make up for that, so it is time to focus on next year.
Lianne Laing @liannelaing Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Nothing like a brand new #boat as a gift to celebrate chris phillips 1000th NHL game! Boat called "Off Season" pic.twitter.com /5D2jA0IU
Even that would be better than listening to Jerkoff Jim masturbate for 4 hours every morning
Tough to have 2pts on TO when they have 2g on us. We only have 3 pts on Washington - they have 4g on us.
If either of them are playoff teams, you have expect them to go at least .500 in those games we have in hand.
Doesn't look good - have to rely on other teams losing those games in hand...
Take a look at the schedule though. If Washington doesn't find a way to beat Florida this season and they lose to powerhouses like NYR and BOS, they will be out of the running by the end of the month.
Ottawa has a MUCH lighter schedule than TOR and WSH. In terms of opponents, and GP.
In all honesty, I would say that Washington is the team that should be worried. Yes they have all these games in hand, but they've been playing catchup all season.. and they haven't managed to catch anybody.. They're mentally weak and soon it will all come crumbling down.
Also, is anybody else pretty confident about first round matchups??? NYR, FLA, And BOS are all teams that Ottawa could give a run for their money.
I feel like FLA and NYR is almost a garanteed 1st round upset.. Boston would be trickier, but Ottawa seems to bring their A-game against the bruins, and we've had all season to study them....could be a long spring
The Bruins and Rangers will make a deep run this year. We've got a good team, and facing the defending champs would really do wonders IMO for this young team. Knowing, seeing, and experiencing, how much further ahead they are than us will be a reality check, and let these Sens know how much harder they have to work come next season.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, but the team that wins a series is the team that comes together, and every individual player steps up their intensity to another level. We saw that last year with these Bruins.
thank you.
in ~24 games who says teams that are right beside us in standings cant go on huge losing streaks or winning streaks like we did all this year too.
never say its over until it is mathematically over when it comes to standings.
The Leafs have a harder Feb-Mar.. In January they had only 3 road games which probably resulted in them getting a lot of points in that month. The Leafs have a losing record on the road..
The teams that Ottawa has to watch out for are Florida and Washingon. Both have played 4 less games than Ottawa.. and those 2 are fighting over 3rd overall place. The Sens need that win in Florida... and with them playing only 2 games this week.. back to back (of course) Fla/Tampa on Tues and Wed... a lot of those games in hand will be caught up.. So maybe by the Isles game next Monday (the 20th) we will know how things stand. The thing is those teams have to win those games in hand for them to jump over the Sens in the standings.
One of Ottawa, Toronto, Fla/Washington will not make the playoffs.. Not sure if Winnipeg comes into the picture.. the Sens have played only 1 more game than them and they sit 6 pts behind Ottawa.
Sens play Isles two times, Wash once & Boston 2 times... The Sens have to win 3 of those 5 games to stay in the race... Lose all of them.. then they don't belong in the playoffs anyway.
We are in the hunt, we need to play well and win games, every game will be important from here out.
This is the time to separate the men from the boys so to speak, if we make playoffs we deserve to be there, if not we had some good hockey to watch all season.
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