Comments on Sens Chirp: Tough Loss

Anon 11:26/10:01: Tell me smarty pants, what team...

2009-12-15T12:43:53.793-05:00

Anon 11:26/10:01:

Tell me smarty pants, what team that is in a "re-building mode" gives away the first three picks of this year's draft plus others, for current roster players?

The notion of "rebuilding" is a term that Burke is using with the media to lower expectations and lower the pressure on the players. But signing a bunch of aging/useless defensmen and bringing in Kessel for 4 draft picks is completely the opposite of rebuilding.

to anon at 8:37 I didnt intend to "call out" the ...

2009-12-15T11:29:34.684-05:00

to anon at 8:37

I didnt intend to "call out" the two of them. I still think they are bringing it, and as I said, are two of my favourite players. I was just saying simply that its been more than a few games for both of them, and that they are due for a big game. nothing more, nothing less.

Im not a jump ship fan. I watch these boys EVERY night, and for those of you who claim that is hard to do, stop watching, and please stop commenting.

henessey called up. foligno,kelly,phillips,spezza ...

2009-12-15T11:12:37.139-05:00

henessey called up. foligno,kelly,phillips,spezza not skating.

understandable for foligno,kelly, they were involved physically all night. spezza missing is scary, better not be a bad injury.

People, please stop saying Eliot played solid. De...

2009-12-15T10:44:20.890-05:00

People, please stop saying Eliot played solid. Despite "only allowing 3 goals" his rebound control is at best at an AHL level (several pucks directed back in to the slot) and he's had his teammates sweep pucks off the line twice in the last two games. Right now, he's our #1, so let's just roll with it for another week and hope for a great second half - just don't try and convince me he's a NHL starter.

Go SENS Go!

Comment on previous post r.e. Karlsson...have to s...

2009-12-15T10:26:48.404-05:00

Comment on previous post r.e. Karlsson...have to say I disagree with the decision of the Sens' brass. I think it would serve Karlsson VERY well to go to that tournament, play on small ice in a short, high pressure situation and be dominant. He's the Sens' 6th D right now only because Campoli has played himself out of that position. I am VERY worried the Sens are rushing this guy a la Luke Schenn in Toronto.

WOW once again Elliott sinks the SENS, am I the on...

2009-12-15T10:11:26.903-05:00

WOW once again Elliott sinks the SENS, am I the only one tired of seeing this guy in net not giving is team a chance to win a couple games in a row. SIMPLE ANSWER "CLOUSTON" you freakin idiot, put BRODEUR in. Why call another guy from the minor if your not even going to use him once. WAKE UP GoD DAMMIT. it's bascially the same sh*t different day with this Elliott. Instead of looking to add another forward or defencemen maybe Murray should be thinking of adding a good back-up goalie. Looks like Dipietro is on is way back with the Isles so why not go after BIRON.

guys, relax and chill out, it's one game and the l...

2009-12-15T10:10:58.568-05:00

guys, relax and chill out, it's one game and the leafs are still 6 points behind us. But thaty will change, since Kessel arrived that team has seemed playoff calibre, should not be taken lightly anymore, and I hate to say it but they outworked the senators tonight, none of our players had more than one second with the puck until a toronto guy was on them, it's that type of effort and spped which wins hockey games and they showed us tonight what we should be doing to win (relentless puck pursuit and effective stick checking for the passing lanes). The reffing tonight was horrible too, the boarding on Cheechoo, the elbow on kovalev, and Grabovski should have been called for at least ten penalties. Too bad that last minute goal was waved off, we woulda won if it had stood up. Ah well.

It's hard to pin these losses on Elliott but it is...

2009-12-15T10:05:11.285-05:00

It's hard to pin these losses on Elliott but it is really hard to win a game after giving up that first goal. Elliott seems to give up the soft goal early in the game and then plays out of his mind as the game goes on, while Leclaire has played softer with a lead. It is so frustrating to see a team dominate their opponent to get "rewarded" with a softy in their own net. Elliott has to play better if this team doesn't drop below .500 in Decemeber. It has been refreshing this year seeing the effort and heart that Ottawa has shown in the final 2+ minutes of a game when being down a goal or two, I can't think of too many games last year where the same effort was shown. Clouston has these guys believing in themselves.

It's hard to pin these losses on Elliott but it is...

2009-12-15T10:05:11.014-05:00

Hey SensChirp, I'm Anon @11:26 The Sens aren't ev...

2009-12-15T10:01:01.800-05:00

Hey SensChirp, I'm Anon @11:26

The Sens aren't even close to being the multi-forward attack team they were a few years ago. The fact is they do plaly a more defensive system to protect Elliott and make Leclaire look good as well. I'm not the only one saying the hockey this team plays is boring. Listen to Team 1200, read the comments sections of the Citizen and such as well and see the empty seats (sadly) at our games lately.

And yes, losing to the LEAFS is embarrassing. They are in a rebuild, if you haven't noticed. We shouldn't have any issues dealing with a team whose #1 starter has an .873 SP% and with one good offensive line, but there it is and we dropped the ball.

This was two points thrown out the window to a team that is in 13th in the East. We can wave pompoms all we want but the fact is we can't be losing to the Buffaslugs or others if we want to stay in the playoff race (62% chance we're in isn't a lock).

Just to make a comparison, remember the losses to the Isles last year? We pissed away 6 points or so for no reason. That's what these losses are like. It's time this team looked at itself in the mirror and brought some swagger to its game as it did a few years ago.

Enough of 'feeding' points to the 'bottom feeders', we're the better team, act like it!

I didn't say anything after his first game back be...

2009-12-15T09:35:40.548-05:00

I didn't say anything after his first game back because, well, it was his first game back but Picard is starting to remind me why I never really had a problem with Campoli. There was actually one shift where he turned the puck over 3 times!

But as for the positives, has anyone else noticed how much better Karlsson is getting??? the kid can skate, shoot, already has great vision, and is becoming solid in his own end. I can really see a top pairing defenceman in him someday!

Soemtimes I think way too many people on here are ...

2009-12-15T09:15:00.348-05:00

Soemtimes I think way too many people on here are menstruating when they type these ranting comments after a loss.
Kuba made maybe 2 bad plays all night and played great otherwise, and everyone says he was terrible. Picard was bad, but what else is new? Stop expecting anything great there.
Spezza had some giveaways, sure, but I for one was happy to see him trying to get some offence going, its about time someone did and thats why we pay him the big money- high risk, high reward. He made at least two perfect cross-ice passes that shooters whiffed on, he cant be blamed for the lack of an effective finisher.
One thing I will agree with, though, is that leclaire would have got us the win. Not that Elliot was terrible, but Leclaire is good enough to bail out picard on the Kessel goal and would likely have had the first one too.
Yes guys, everyone knows we need a power play shooter, its too bad there isnt a point shot expert store where you can just pick one up on sale. This is a cap era, you cant just address every need at the drop of a hat, so all you armchair GM's need to stay quiet as long as our record is still 4 wins above .500.
Lastly, VERY impressed with Karlsson last night, sure he can still be pushed off the puck, but he is rarely giving anyone the opportunity, moving the puck smartly and quickly to the open man.

I couldn't watch the game last night but it's good...

2009-12-15T09:05:09.114-05:00

I couldn't watch the game last night but it's good to know we outplayed the Leafs.

I believe that if we plan on making the playoffs and succeeding we need to get rid of Picard, Campoli, Shannon, Lee and get some guys with more NHL experience and tougher. These guys have potential elsewhere but here we have too many small guys and it can cost us a few games. I thought we kept Shannon to replace Comrie but at least Comrie can play against the tough teams and still manage to show up on the scoreboard. I would also add Kelly on that list since he's too expensive for what he brings on the ice. I would trade for Ray Whitney, Erik Cole or someone like that. If we trade for a D I would go for Souray. He is signed for a few years at 5 million but it's better than Campbell at 7 millions. If we could trade for Weber I would give whatever they want but I'm sure we won't be the only team making offers.

Knowing Murray he probably won't do much as usual before the trade deadline.

so...atleast this should lay to rest the trade-spe...

2009-12-15T08:57:54.186-05:00

so...atleast this should lay to rest the trade-spezza crap that spews here after every loss. he clearly had a strong offensive game today and was just..like always ahem...a shot away from burying his other chances. sorry, im being a little over-sarcastic maybe, he did bury the powerplay goal to tie it up, which was great.

i think my final judgement on last nights game is that elliot played soft and allowed 1 soft goal which in the end is the difference. other contributing factors right after that are bad D-decisions. Kuba with a lazy stupid stick, Picard with his idiotic pinch off a line change. karlsson and phillips had strong games, the rest of the D wasn't upto snuff, Carkner had little periods of gaffes, his solid game has gone partially solid by just a bit, however he is still much reliable.

also, not converting on the other two PPs or..on a lesser level not generating significant momentum also prevented strong play translating into goals for the sens. lastly, momentum sapping goals, given up right after getting even on the score hurt the team a little too.

still it was a pretty even game. the refereeing has clearly gone downhill this year across the league. I saw atleast two hits from behind by the leafs, the cheechoo hit being the most blatant. numerous elbows, again the komisarek one stood out the most. I think Neil and Dono would have been very instrumental last night.

lastly, shannon has gone completely irrelevant again. Something I just realized yesterday is that, to replace a guy like Neil you would want to bring in someone who plays like Neil. which happens to be Cody Bass who is actually the sens own prospect. and I remember when the whole debate was up about Neil being signed, the major point being thrown around was that Neil was replaceable for cheaper by Cody Bass. so now that Neil is injured, why isnt the sens brain trust showing some faith in their own prospects and making the right call??? honestly, last night the regin line would have been a little bit more effective if Shannon wasn't getting checked back into his zone by the leaf's D-men.

anyways, still very frustrated, i had doubts about the game, because of the way the leafs have been playing. however, the leafs were happy to clog up the neutral zone and forecheck at choice. and consequently gave up a lot of odd man rushes. so in the end, this was a winnable game for the sens, and very easily too. alas......

Man all this complaining after 1 loss, I know it w...

2009-12-15T08:57:30.673-05:00

Man all this complaining after 1 loss, I know it was the Leafs but it wasn't that bad of a game. They had a good chance to win.

Picard was brutal and I honestly think that is the only Dman that needs to be replaced everyone else seems to be holding their own. Sure there is room for improvement but that's normal in an 82 game season.

I don't know if it's just me but has Alfie not been turning the puck over a lot this year? Tons of weak and/or blind passes that don't connect. It's not like him to do that, some games it seems he does it more then Spezza.

1. That game was super hard to watch and it looks ...

2009-12-15T08:42:58.147-05:00

1. That game was super hard to watch and it looks like the other team is on the PP everytime the puck is in our end, no one can dump the puck out of the zone.

2. Just because everyone disses the team and is negative doesnt mean they are jumping off the bandwagon. Ever notice how those that complain still watch the games

3. Spezza was horrible as usual, one goal isnt going to fix anything this guy is a turnover machine!!!

4. Fisher is the best player we have and continues to show why.

5. Carkner ruined Orr tonight, awesome to see him get some revenge for when Orr beat the piss out of him last time.

6. Will still watch the Sens game after game but YES they are HARD to watch!!!

GO SENS GO

Some of these comments don't make sense like the o...

2009-12-15T08:37:30.455-05:00

Some of these comments don't make sense like the one from Dave Young. You're trying to be positive but you call out Michalek who leads the team in goals for with 15 or so and Alfie who's close to a point a game pace at 37 years old.

BTW, for me it's NEVER a time to "jump ship". The Sens are my team, through thick and thin. These people saying it's "tough to watch" and crap...what's wrong with you? You a true fan or not? The team is battling hard for a playoff spot and would be in them if it were today. Remember, they've been playing their backup for 13 games now, he's not very good and they're still competing hard. Don't be so flaky on the Sens...if you feel that way just go cheer for the Leafs and quit posting here.

It's not a mystery the main cause of our current b...

2009-12-15T08:30:08.976-05:00

It's not a mystery the main cause of our current bad streak is due to some specific players especially elliot so far. dont get me wrong i love the guy but he's costing us games and I cant really complain theres not much we can do about it but would be nice if he could step it up. and well the defense speaks for itself

11:26, don't be an idiot, the Senators cannot repl...

2009-12-15T07:43:34.255-05:00

11:26, don't be an idiot, the Senators cannot replace Spezza internally. So, you figure that you can put Fisher up to line #1, but then what? Who plays between Kovy-Foligno? It can't be Regin or Kelly or Winchester, that's not their role, which is exactly what my point was. If they lose one of their better scoring forwards (even if you don't like Spezza, he is one of their better scoring forwards), you can't replace him long term with one of those guys.

Some Senators fans are so bi-polar that it's frightening. Sens win, these people are as high as kites, Sens lose, it's time to trade the whole team. Get over it little kid, it's a long season, that's one loss, and frankly, it's one I don't mind taking because the Senators played a strong game.

Sorry, but explain to me why a draw between Carkne...

2009-12-15T07:40:22.320-05:00

Sorry, but explain to me why a draw between Carkner and Orr is a positive for Ottawa?

Go ahead and count landed punches, Chirp.

A Spezz injury may be a blessing in disguise. Allo...

2009-12-15T06:53:47.780-05:00

A Spezz injury may be a blessing in disguise. Allow him some time to rest up that bad back.

Move Shannon back to the middle and give Hennessy another shot. He is having his best year ever in Bingo. I for one would love to see us get SOMETHING out of the Havlat trade....Damn you Muckler!

To the Black Terror, you scoring "Forward!" If yo...

2009-12-15T06:46:55.412-05:00

To the Black Terror, you scoring "Forward!"

If you are going to criticise get it right Man...

Note: If your coach wants you to pinch as part of a pressure offence then there is no such thing as a bad pinch only a "bad" coverage for the pinch...anyone but #41 would have caught and nullified Blake before he even got a shot!

Note II: Why would you blame Alex for the second goal as it's Carks' man but the brutal shoot in by #26 and a perfect high floating one hopper to Kessel left no one any chance...by the way if you think you could have stopped that shot, you are in the wrong bussiness.

Finally, if you really watch the game and follow the Sens you would know that, at this time, the chance for a significant trade is nil.

Ya want to look at someone look at Kuba...you are not good enough to critic Picard so stay off him until you know what you are talking about!

SC! I have never seen you so fired up! And its a l...

2009-12-15T01:12:04.523-05:00

SC! I have never seen you so fired up! And its a little overdue. Some people post the most negative, ignorant comments on your otherwise impeccable site. Sometimes I wish you would just not post them, but that defeats the whole forum thing right?

I was in an exam until the second intermission. I thought Karlsson played well and that it is actually Kuba that is struggling in that pair. Im not the rabid fan that says trade everyone and the mascot though . As someone pointed out, with our backup starting his 13th straight and some bad luck/changes, we still only lost 3-2 to the hottest team in the east, and had a goal called back in the dying seconds

not exactly time to jump ship.

That said, I would like to see a little more offensively from Michalek (one of my faves, but he's cooled off a little, he is due) and alfie (who is god, but when was the last time he put one in?)

Defensively Kuba has to be better, at least more consistent, and Carks needs to get back to form.

In goal... lets be serious, we need our number one guy back.

Can't wait for Leclaire to come back!!! He gave u...

2009-12-15T00:52:15.382-05:00

Can't wait for Leclaire to come back!!!

He gave us a chance to win every game with fantastic saves (of course, he had that one-bad-goal-a-game stretch, but he got over it).

Elliott is a backup goaltender! I don't hate the guy, it's just that he isn't P. Leclaire. Of course it doesn't help when your D sucks on some nights!!

Way to bark back SC! I don't get it? This game wa...

2009-12-15T00:19:49.286-05:00

Way to bark back SC!

I don't get it? This game was entertaining! Yeah we lost, but fuck, at least it was fast, open style hockey. And yeah, there were turnovers, but that's going to happen from time to time. You guys all complain when we're forced to play a trap style game. What the f$%K do you want?!?

I for one don't blame the loss on Elliott. Nothing he can do on that third goal deflected off of Kuba (who I'll agree, did not have a steller match) and Kessel is just a pure scorer. He's scored some of those on Luongo, Brodeur, Kipper. It irritates me that some of you keep calling out the goalies for soft goals, deciding what is and what isn't a "soft" goal, with your fat asses burried in your lazy boys.

There definitely should have been roughing penalties for the hits on Cheechoo and Kovalev but what pisses me off the most is the bullshit disallowed goal at the end.

C'mon man, the reality is Winchester's skate was being pulled apart by the D and its only natural to want to bring your foot back in for balance. That wasn't a kick! If that's a kick, then Winchester should enroll for soccer practice for kicking pucks at -2 mph....

Oh well. Montreal lost so at least there's that...