The Ottawa Senators were in control in this one but back to back shorthanded goals welcomed the New Jersey Devils back into the game.
Parise made it 3-1 in a shorthanded situation and then Zubrus scored a man short to force a one goal game. Tedenby tied it and not long after Kovalchuk gave the Devils what had to be classified as a surprising lead.
Jesse Winchester scored a heroic goal late to steal a point form the Devils but in the end Pete DeBoer's group walked away with the two points. I hate to blame a loss on a goalie but the Sens really could have used a save from Alex Auld in the shootout. While it's always tough to see the Sens cough up a lead, you have to admire the determination the Ottawa Senators showed late in regulation.
That late goal by Winchester helped steal a point the Sens had no business being a part of.
The Sens are next in action on Saturday night when they play host to the Vancouver Canucks.
I would be remiss if I didn't take time to thank everyone that took part in the Hunt4Chirp. While there were only two winners, it certainly seemed like many folks were on the hunt. Thanks to those that took part.
- Alex Auld gives up alot of rebounds and is no good in shootouts.
- Glad I picked up Foligno in my fantasy pool last week.
- Jesse Winchester must feel good tonight.
- Did the Sens fall apart after Gonchar left with an injury? Nah, can't be...
- Pretty sure Rundblad shouldn't have been shooting there, but oh well, what do I know?
- Speaking of Rundblad, if we ever get Kuba/Gonchar/Ca rkner back and healthy, he could benefit from some AHL time. IMO.
- Shanahan is a joke. I miss Colin Campbell, and that's saying something.
- Next game, bring on Vancouver.
Suspiring or surprising?
Also, there is only one reason why I like Auld, he will never ever compete with Anderson for the #1 job. I really wish that we had held on to McElhinney, worst part about him was his last name.
and i please ask to bring filitov in; butler isnt even noticeable aside from one shot i seen.. even if filitov isnt doing anything atleast give the fans some reassurance that we ATTEMPTED to use this kid and it didnt work out instead of letting him walk
Auld needs practice more on breakaway attempts I guess.
You seriously cannot predict anything about this team this year. Great exciting hockey.
Not happy about how they played in the third period these past two games. IF they want to be competitive, the last games we play are the one you look back at in April and say "only if we got those three points".
Hope Gonchar is back asap.
I see progress with Karlsson (in his 3rd year) - not so much with Spezza (in his 9th). Listen, I know this is an unpopular stance so I won't beat a dead horse. I just wish Spezza would grow up already.
It almost feels like he thinks he is playing an NHL12 videogame or something... and it's some tool of a kid holding the controller instead of an experience NHLer. 80% of the time, in order for Spezza's plays to be successfull, so many stars have to be precisely aligned. Cross ice passes through 6 1/2 skates and 4 sticks.... Drop passes to the point on the way in the zone when nobody is there yet or too far away to get the puck on time. Oh well, he is our Star... it's just too bad that he does not shine as bright as other teams stars. He is who he is and at this point, odds of him changing are slim. Not impossible but slim.
I wonder if he watches highlights of other NHLers like Toews & the like and think to himself: "Why don't I do that!" LOL. Not that everybody else playing is fault free. Just that our Star thinks he is in the circus every night !
you get the bad with the good, there's just far more upsides than downsides when it comes to Spezza. I even get frustrated with some of his turnovers but I'm already over it by the next shift because he's already made an offensive impact by then. The good outweighs the bad.
It pained me to watch that lead disappear, but even more so with 2 shorthanded goals against.
Winchester - great so see him get a goal. He's playing hard to get back in.
Foligno - he's chasing down Michalek for the team/lead league! Great confidence!
Alfredsson - did he find the fountain of youth!? What a shot!
Spezza - please stop trying to push the puck through people, you're not a Jedi!
Auld - practice, practice, practice the penalty shot, PLEASE!
Michalek - congrats on pissing off NHL.com and having them have to put your picture up as the top!!!!
GO SENS GO!! Learn from last night and kill the 'Nucks!
Cowen definitely seems to be progressing quickest into what we get to see for many years to come.
Paul Maclean has been able to turn team weaknesses around quickly so hopefully the sens will learn to hold a lead before too long. They certainly know how to come back from a deficit.
hard to imagine the Sens have the NHL's leading goal scorer! sweet!
and I love that winchester has been dropping the gloves but perhaps Carkner could give him a lesson or two on technique, it would go a long way.
Go Sens! get it out of your system, very tough week ahead, including a well rested Crosby!
GoBig=O=Go
Welcome back ?
Site was down for a bit. Back on track now though.
60+ games in Bingo is better for his development than 12 in the NHL this year
I've always wondered how that works? Are they still technically in the NHL during this time? I mean are they getting paid to be in that tournament or do they lose all pay and are essentially a Junior player for those 2 - 3 weeks?
dont know if you watched the game but spezza turned the puck over on each of the first three goals for the devils
he was also out there for three goals scored and had 2 assists and scored on his shootout attempt. There may be a million reasons to hate Spezza, but there will always be more than a million reasons to love him.
On both short handed goals, the rush for the eventual goal was started by a Spezza turnover. He may produce offensively but if he doesn't start playing more responsible hockey, games like this will become commonplace.
@ JQS,
Agree with all of your bullet statements, and unreal to see so many negative posters on previous topic.
The Shanahan decision is a farce, and is based purely on him protecting the on ice officials, who made a mistake.
Wonderful. I'm so glad that he scored in the shootout that he helped the devils get too. Lets be real here, game should have been over at 3-0 if it wasn't for him. Its not really up for debate, its a fact.
On twitter I saw a die hard NBA fan ask for Gary Bettman to replace David Stern. How awesome would that be hahaha. Shows how happy people are with Stern right now that even Bettman is an upgrade LOL
I know it is a rebuild,
but both Karlsson and Rundblad cannot be in your top 6 starting lineup.
Yes it is cute and nice when they dance around or try those fancy little passes, but they are not FORWARDS, and that is how they are playing the game.
Rundblad will be good, but he is not good right now. Lee right now is better, he plays well in our own end, he had another great game yesterday.
On the PP, they cannot get the right shots on net, and end up killin our own PP.
Alie on the PP at the point is better than any of our D-men.
And I do not know who's brain fart it was to put a rookie with 0 confidence in the SO, but that was foolish.
And yes I saw a practice where they have the SO competition, and Rundblad was dead last!
Foligno, Smith, Condra, Daug, Greening even Winny should have gone before Rundblad.
Man this site is full of women I think. We win its celebrate! we lose down with the sens! everything is wrong. Holy crap I can't take it
Go along with the ride, and just enjoy, stop trying to correct every little detail. PLayers have bad games, players have good games, get over it
Side Note:
Report is that Burke might offer Kadri for Brassard in a one on one deal hahahahahaha
How great is Cowen looking now
really did not have much of a chance on those goals against him.
Really was even more impressed with Lee, he is getting better every game, even had a couple of very impressive rushes.
As much as I love the Sens, I really feel that they are hurting his development, and for pitty's sake either move him or play him like he is respected.
I know Rundblad will be a star one day, and I will accept the flaws Karlsson brings, b/c he is a hi-lite reel, but Lee is a true all around D-man.
Looks like he will finally get his real shot, and I hope he now gets top 4 minutes instead of 6 pairing minutes,
If Filatov does not get in on Sat, please let us fans know what the plan is for this guy, b/c we are missing something, and none of it makes any sense at all.
This is the problem with most of our fans, its easier to blame the BACKUP than to blame the "superstar" so we make him the scapegoat. I think its bullshit. How can the highest paid player on our team get away scotch free after directly leading to 3 devils goals, but our goalie who plays maybe once every 3 weeks gets torched for not saving spezzas ass. Yea he let in a few weak goals but we shouldnt have given up odd man rushes on our PP anyways!
Man you people are funny, how is it Spezza's fault when he loses the puck in the neutral zone and the Devils come in on a 2 on 2 and score, hahaha, thats all on AULD, weak shot from a weak angle.
Karlsson is directly responsible for that brutal drop pass to know one on the boards, Spezza tried to keep it in but he was handcuffed by Karlsson, then Alfie left his middle position to go after the puck carrier, leaving the other guy to break in scott free. Nothing Spezza can do here.
All Aflie had to do is stay in the middle, Spezza was putting pressure on the puck carrier.
I also agree with many here, how did we steal a point, its nice to be positive Chirp but we didnt steal a point, we lost one. 3-0 man, come on.
GO SENS GO!
Spezza gets away scotch free?
It's been 8 years now I've been listening to the "Spezza is garbage" tripe... Not a single game goes by without someone mentioning that Spezza needs to be traded for a bag of pucks...
Tookie did you not get the office memo? Sens win all hail alfie and karlsson, sens lose down with spezza
This pains me... but Took makes a good point.
Both Karlsson and Rundblad are not playing well, if Spezza tries something and works, he is a magician, if he fails, then the D should bail him out, when they don't they blame Spezza,
unfairly IMO,
here is an idea...Karlsson , Rundblad try to remember you are also D-men... try to better that part of your game ala Cowen... he will be our best D-man one day!
As for Spezza, I agree that his turnovers were brutal and cost us last night but I notice no one bothered to point out that it was him that was directly responsible for the goal that put us into overtime. New Jersey had the puck and Spezza forced a weak clear from the zone allowing Alfie to get the puck at the point. If he didn't get that turnover, we would be talking about the game where we lost two points instead of one.
As far as Rundblad goes, once Kuba and Gonchar are back he could benefit from some time in Bingo to build confidence.
GO SENS GO!
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2011/12/09/mendes_mlse_reporter_guidelines/
and who said he had to try and keep it in? If he backs off its a 2 on 2
All started by Karlsson. Karlsson and Rundblad were pretty suspect all night.
So when Spezza does it and our REAL D cant keep it in, then its ok to blame Spezza, lol...
Give yer head a shake.
Said it before, Rundblad shouldn't have taken that penalty shot. He's AHL material at best at the present time.
Glad Carks is back.
Tooks you are making a lot of sense today... its kind of Spookie...Tooki e :)
Burke had the chance to take Cowen over Kadri... I'm glad Murray faked him out. I don't believe the Sens had any interest in Kadri... glad they didn't.