The Senators have played more games than any other team in the NHL and the last couple times out you can see signs of fatigue starting to creep into their game. Mental lapses, lack of finish and questionable in-zone coverage were an issue in Anaheim and again tonight. A lot of that may also have to do with the lengthy road trip the team has been on.
The All Star Game and a few days off is coming at a perfect time for this hockey club.
It is becoming standard practice for the Ottawa Senators but for the 6th straight game, they allowed the opposition to strike first. A point shot by Willie Mitchell found a way past Craig Anderson and gave the Kings a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.
A sloppy second period line change and some dreadful coverage around Craig Anderson and the Sens found themselves in a 2-0 hole. A 5 on 3 goal from Jack Johnson made it three and the Kings were in complete control.
Alfredsson scored his 16th of the season from Karlsson and Gonchar, cutting the lead to three, but that would be it for the Senators. I really hesitate to go on a rant about the referees when the Sens didn't play well enough to win but tonight was a unique circumstance.
After a loss to the Ducks on Saturday afternoon, Sens Head Coach Paul MacLean mentioned that official Dan O'Rourke had called Sens defenceman "a diver" and used that as justification to not make a call late in the third. Tonight in LA the Sens had the privilege of having that same referee, along with Tim Peel, call their game. In the first period alone, the Sens found themselves on the wrong end of four calls or non-calls. In the second period, Foligno was called for slashing on a play that looked an awful lot like something Dustin Brown did in the first.
The Kings scored on the 5 on 3 after a weak call on Zack Smith and then late in the second, a penalty shot was awarded in what appeared to be the most obvious of many "mistakes" made by tonight's officials. In the third, Neil took a cross check to the face from Kyle Clifford that also went uncalled.
Now I'm not suggesting O'Rourke held a grudge or perhaps that his ego took a hit when MacLean revealed something that made O'Rourke look extremely unprofessional but considering what transpired over the weekend, does it really make sense to have the same guy officiating the Senators a couple nights later? MacLean had at least one conversation with the officials during the game and was clearly unhappy with the treatment his team received.
The Sens will look to head into the break on a positive note tomorrow night in Phoenix. It will be the first time Kyle Turris has returned to Phoenix since the mid-season trade to the Senators.
FWIW: A pool reporter approached the NHL about having the referees make a comment about the penalty shot call. They declined.
Isn't there a rule that says officials must accept post-game media queries?
Al Strachan talks about it in his book...
The only thing I hate worse than losing, is when the refs help the cause.
Tomorrow will be 2 pts for us, for sure
Regardless of all that we still didn't play well enough to have a chance to win last night. On to the next one. Hopefully Turris can show Phoenix what they're missing tonight!
I really hope the league takes a serious look, but I'm sure they won't, because our team color isn't white and blue :(
Oh, and for the refs....BOO! That was just awful.
I disagree. The Sens lost their legs due to poor calling and The Kings getting away with everything.
If the refs would have called the very obvious trip on K65 we would have had a 5 on 3 PP.
How the game could have changed if we scored then and first?
I think we would have scored and we would have won.
Alas, it is what it is. And madpajama... unfortunately this has nothing to do with us not being blue and white. Pains me to back TO, but unless they are playing Ottawa they get the shaft as well when it comes to the Zebras.
Poor calls is all part of Bettman's master plan to frustrate us Northern folk and have the game brought and kept down South.
Suspend that douchebag ref, fuck Bettman and his plan, fuck the bad calls...
END RANT.
GO SENS GO.
The so called penalty on EK wasnt a penalty, its a freaking weak stick check and EK falls down, probably because he is 165lbs soaking wet. The so called penalty on Phillips getting his stick broken isnt a penalty, he was clearing the puck at the same time Brown put his stick in the way to block/impede his clearing attempt...Folig no's blatant slash directly on the Kings stick......now thats a penalty!!!
Its 1 game, who cares, forget about it and stop blaming the refs, you sound like Leafs/Habs fans!
One more thought: Does anyone know if Rundblad is playing tonight? That would be awesome...
I expect Auld will get the start. I want to see Butler off that top line, Greening back on. I didn't like that line change last night, mixed with the mojo this team had going. Let's get these 2 points before the break and enjoy the skills
Go Sens Go!!!
Pretty sure its you who sounds like a Leafs/Habs fan!
I believe the reason fans are most frustrated with this situation is the fact that the league does not punish the referees except to not allow them to ref the playoffs thus missing out on a few paychecks.
However refs need to be accountable not to the fans but to the owners and players, as fans are the ones filling they're pockets, they are in turn accountable too us. Basically I just want the "LEAGUE" to say that yes they fucked up, but under the circumstances it's not a stretch to say O"Rourke acted with unprofessionali sm, which for anyone not working in parliament is worthy of disciplinary action.
I just want the Nhl to open up and suspend referees.
Kind of ironic that the league's disciplinarians never face discipline.
not to go off on too much of a tangent here but what Tim Thomas did is what every person with his level of privilege to the media should. Governments must always be held accountable to its people and a big name like Tim Thomas standing up for civil rights is a bold statement that needs to be made. You should probably look at the bill that Obama signed into law this new years eve while no one was watching (NDAA). I wont get into the specifics of the bill you should read it yourself and maybe you would understand the bravery of Tim Thomas.
As for the game, im glad i missed the first 2 periods, sounds like it was a joke at our expense.
Agree 100% with all that you have said !
There is an NHL Officials Assocition, which I have written to on 2 blatant calls, and this Association never responded to my e-mail !!
The officials are badly in need of accountability !!
Yes, coming from a guy with the handle name.....Blue...
Again, you've outdone yourself Sir!
If you ever got out of your parent's basement, you'd know that Blue is a reference to the AWESOME character in the movie Old School...
However, it might not be the best handle on a senators fan board...
Just for you, Tookie, I've changed my name... for some reason all of the handles that included "Tookie" and "Sucks" were taken... go figure.
That's the spirit... can't wait for all the Fail for Nail campaigners to come back out after we lose a couple of games.
On a different note, I'm more amazed every game at how good Kyle Turris is. The kid has game!
Looks like the lineup will be the same as the last game,with only 1 change, as Carkner draws back in and Borowiecki is a healthy scratch.
Hope Chirp confirms the lineup posted by the Ottawa Sun, and I wonder if Anderson will get to start this game ??
I hope they move Michalek back with Alfie and Turris... they were dominant.
Me thinks thats a guess by the Ottawa Sun and likely a good one. No word on the line up yet and no morning skate scheduled. MacLean will meet with the media at 1:00 PM Eastern.
Thanks Chirp !!
The blatent slash on Karlsson on the PP in the first could have set a different tone for the game. That said, we did get outplayed most of the game and need a more consistent effort if we wanna get rolling again.
GSG!
The last time we rightfully "cocked off" about the officiating, the zebra bitches banded together and were out to get us most the rest of the season.
http://communities.sportsnet.ca/thread/9466
McLovin, glad you like it, feel free to use it. This shoddy officiating keeps up I might just use that on a sign during our next tilt against the leafs.
“(Dealing) would come with one caveat. Let’s not lose focus of what our job is: That’s to rebuild,” said Melnyk. “The deal we made for Kyle Turris was more of an anomoly than anything else because we did give up a piece of our future and we weren’t going to be competitive without a second-line centre.
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/01/23/melnyk-surprising-sens-still-in-rebuild-mode
Re-assures me that nothing major will be done at the deadline.
Well lets break down what Turris did so amazingly this game.
-1
3 shots
17:05 TOI of which 4:56 on PP
1 attempted block shot
1 Missed shot
1 Hit
5 of 9 on Face offs for 36%
He's been playing great for us so far but he wasnt very good in this game.
Good Ole Euge!
Thx for your deep pockets!
Now go get Bobby Ryan and re-sign him to 10 years, 64Million!!
I'm not a mathematics professor but I'm fairly certain 5 of 9 on faceoffs doesn't equate to 36%.
I only saw the low-lights from the game last night, but over the past half dozen games seems like we are struggling to score, still fairly sloppy in our own end and that Anderson has been bailing us out more nights than not.
This is not sustainable, we need to get our mojo back and Anderson needs some opportunities to rest. Let's hope some time off for many players during the Allstar break will be just what the doctor ordered and that either Auld makes an appearance/resu rgence or we make a move for a backup we can actually play once in a while.
politics and sport should absolutely mix but on a far grander scale than this.
Jackie Robinson breaking the taboo of black players in baseball - the actions of Tommy Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman at the Mexico Olympics - the ostracisation of South Africa from international team sports due to apartheid - the suffragette movement in the UK protesting at sporting events
there are very few things that the whole world watches apart from sports. It's the perfect place to take a legitimate political stand against injustice.
Anyway - the refs still sucked bawls last night.
I believe that the policy from the NHL Officals Association is not to reply to any correspondence with an abundance of punctuation, so that could be a problem.
5 of 9 for 36%? Me thinks your math is fishy...
I watched the game, and what do you know... stats don't tell the whole story. He was skating hard all game, making strong moves/plays.
It's ok to throw stats around, but why does EVERY single post from you have include some level of NEGATIVITY?
Do you need a hug?
Sorry that should read 5 win and 9 losses for 36%
Thanks for the laugh Apostle that was a good one
So you can tell me without hesitating that Turris played great last night?
i'm reassured that the plan remains to rebuild but i disagree that that specifically rules out another deal.
i'm not surprised by the fact that Bruce Garrioch can not (a) spell anomaly and (b) use a spell check.
I just read your incredibly silly stats line post again... and had to ask...
What is an "attempted blocked shot"?
Whatever it is, I'm sure it clear shows how poor his game was last night!
Also, since I can't stop laughing at this post... I clearly stated I was amazed with the kid and that he has game. At no point did I say he had an "amazing game" last night. Man, you really do reach deep to find ways to spew crap and be Negative...
I wouldn't say he played great. I thought he was good though. I thought he was our best forward for sure. In a game where we needed our best players to step up I certainly thought he was trying to do all he could, unlike Spezza and Milo who were invisible among others.
You always use stats man. We all know that stats only tell half the story. You know it too.
"the ostracisation of South Africa from international team sports due to apartheid - the suffragette movement in the UK protesting at sporting events"
followed by this...
"Anyway - the refs still sucked bawls last night."
Classic.
Whats so negative in saying he had a bad game, its the truth, you need to accept the fact he wont be a monster everygame.
I think your the one who is overzealous, going out and beyond the scope of the game he had last night. Just cuz he's been great doesnt mean everygame he plays is automatically great...
@ The Apostle,
If you wish to have a copy, of my correspondence, with this
Association, I will glady forward same to your e-mail !
Well Im pretty sure its self explanatory, maybe I should post full descriptions for you as you dont seem to understand simple NHL abbreviations. Attempted means he didnt block it.
Oh and while your out defending yourself on saying he didnt have an amazing game, I never said he had a poor one.
So instead of jumping all over me with the negative shit, why dont you just stop, take your time and read the post.
See it aint so negative after all.
That sucks man, Ovie being suspended for 3 games might mean he cant participate in the ASG either...
What a blow that would be...
You didn't say he had a poor game? So it wasn't you who said "but he wasnt very good in this game". Apparently my grasp of English is poor.
Anyway, enough... I shall return to ignoring your (in my opinion) negative, ignorant comments.
Good day to you.
I said, good day to you.
He can still participate in the all-star game. He's expected to be there but supposedly he's threatening to skip the event to voice his displeasure over his suspension. I really hope he'll be there.
According to Bob MacKenzie on TSN this morning, the NHL is happy to have Ovie there. He may "choose" to not come because of the suspension.
Hope he does come.
We have all seen instances, on this site, where someone posts something that results in a flurry of rebuttals and deteriorates into a tiresome and petty argument between two or three posters - and annoying the rest of us.
Typically, you need to step in and ask the culprits to "cease and desist"...
How about implementing a rule that - when this happens - we all have the right to post with something along the lines of "Leafs Suck" (something we all agree on).
As soon as one such post appears, the argument/disagr eement/schoolya rd skirmish must end right away - no more postings around the subject.
You shouldn't have to monitor us like kids at recess. Maybe we can police ourselves, if given this privelge?
thoughts? Surely I'm not the only one who finds these tiresome...
NHL_Sens The #Sens take on the Coyotes tonight @ 9pm. #BostonPizza in Kanata is the #SensRoadGamePa rty HQ with Molson handing out great Sens prizes.
I'll be there!!!
Haha cool idea. What do people think?
So I go to place my order and Capital tickets wants to charge me a 2.50$ fee on each ticket AS WELL AS a 3.50$ order fee! So my two 10$ tickets in advance would end up costing me 28.50$ when I could get them at the door for 30$
What the hell, get your shit together Capital tickets! You want to charge me a 42% mark-up on my tickets in freakin fees!
i thought i should keep it real and grounded
Haha cool idea. What do people think?
I'm all for it!
Especially when peoples rebuttals are God awful, sorely lacking in knowledge.
Welcome to the real world...you want stuff in advance, you pay up! lol
I'm not sure Tookie, but I think the original idea was directed at you.
Leafs Suck
Precisely what I would expect from you Tookie, to infuriate the rest of us Sens fans...
If you did not see the BS last night, and get pissed at the Refs taking control of that game, and making a statement to PM, they they control the game and never question us, then I do not understand what makes you tick.
Slash trip on EK was an obvious penalty... O'Rourke makes point #1... and get used to it the rest of the game.
Slash to stick on Philips, breaks his stick... easy slash call... no call Refs point #2.
5 on 3 for goal number 3
And finally for good measure lets throw them a Penalty shot!
Then with the game way out of reach, we will give the Sens some make up calls
Complete Bush League, and the Refs clearly will let biases take over their responsibilitie s, which makes us fans, realize that NHL will allow for corruption in their reffing ranks! Shame on the league!
You raise a good point - perhaps we have to "aim" it at the offending posters, so they know to whom it's intended.
e.g @Boom@Jester - Leafs Suck....
Just petty on his part
when does it become the half star game
And a hearty Leafs suck to you good sir!
That sucks. We finally get our ASG and the two biggest names in all of hockey are no-shows.
Lidstrom, toews, Crosby, Ovie, Selane, Koivu
in
Lupul, Hartnell, phaneuf
I punch those numbers into my calculator and it makes a frowny face
The ASG is a joke, it should be removed or atleast moved until the end of the season.
It's for kids no one takes it seriously
and it promotes the game
Oh yeah and highlights the city, boosts local economy, fun event to bring the family to, and get a chance too meet players you never would have otherwise been able to
So agreed Totaly useless
Those two and that shit-bag Auger. Let them occupy the nets during the hardest slap shot competition. Wearing only their zebra uniforms and diapers no less.
LEAFS SUCKS??
Leafs Suck
Outside of the "grizzled old veteran rule" for the likes of Lidstrom and Selanne, players are supposed to play, not have a choice in the matter.
First the suspension effs up my hockey pool, now this.
I think Ovie has fucked up his own Pool value this year
I admire players for taking their heads out of their asses and admitting that there are important issues. I just wish he was more specific about his critique. Was he angry about Guantanamo Bay, or does he just not want to pay his taxes?
Absolutely but he has been trending a bit better lately. I was hoping he would close the gap a bit between the Sedin sisters so I could make a different move at our trade deadline...
I see your point but really your upset koivu isn't going to be at the all-star game yet more upset Lupul si there? Lupul is playing much better than Koivu anyways
Sure it sucks Toews, Crosby and Ovie aren't going to be there, but oh well
Also I may be the only one on this but I support Ovie not being there, except I feel that should have come down from the NHL.
Similar reason why I think a player who still has time on a penalty at the end of OT should not be allowed to shoot in the shootout. The NHL needs to have a carry over process even for events that are fan driven (ASG and SO)
I completely disagree with this for the ASG. You're saying that the poor sap who happened to get suspended the week before the ASG for a game or 2 should miss the game just because of the timing of his incident? But some headhunter who gets suspended 5, 10 even more games earlier in the season has more right to go the all-star game because the timing didn't coincide with the ASG.
I think it should be used for shootouts though, if a player has an overtime penalty that doesn't expire before the end, it should carry over. Maybe not let them be 1 of the first 3 or 5 shooters or something like that, or even disqualify them from the entire shootout process for that game.
not exactly dissapointed that Koivu wont be there. However I never want to see a leaf at the all star game.
Besides the main point was about how this year, more than any other, we have had many more hold-outs/injur ies than previous years.
hey now, that markup is going to be put towards Karlsson's extension! pay up! haha.
I believe that you can purchase tickets at Canadian Tire for $10. No extortion fees from CapitalAbuseTickets.
I would prefer that they state the true price up front. Ticketmaster does it that way.
SFD - I feel your frustration with service changes and stuff, believe me.
To be totally open about Capital Tickets though, I'm not sure what delivery method you selected for the tickets or something, but just the other weekend I bought 4 Van Halen tickets from them, and the total service charges were $5. $1.50 delivery plus the $3.50 order charge you mentioned - but not $2.50 per ticket.
0.7% markup.
http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1232
Very frustrating indeed. I haden't even gone to the step of selecting a delivery method yet. The reason the mark-up was so high is that the tickets are only supposed to be 10 bucks each. So charging me 2.50 a ticket plus 3.50 order charge on a 10 dollar ticket is 4.25$ in fees per ticket, hence the 42% markup.
Damn that TSN!
I wouldn't give much credence to that site. It's only the one guy coming up with prospect ratings every few months.
Besides Colbornne in the top ten?
Methinks he be torontonian
from reading the entirety of Thomas' statement i believe that he is specifically targeting the recent signing of the NDAA bill into law and the continued signing of bills of similar manner. The NDAA allows the US military jurisdiction on US soil and the ability to indefinitely detain US citizens without any rights or due process based purely on suspicion. This bill with the Patriot Act are one nasty anti constitution group of laws. That and SOPA/PIPA which im sure you have heard of that would effectively censor the internet. These are the most pressing anyway.
That said, I hate blaming the refs. They didn't lose either game for us, it was just the icing on the cake. I'm fairly certain we will see this as an anomaly and be glad to get it out of the way. Onward and upward!
I did not see much of the game.. but from what I hear it was a joke of a job by the refs. To me that is not calling a fair game. That deserves a suspension for the refs on that. The league cannot just stand by and watch refs (both of them) call questionable penalties against a team they 'are mad at' just to prove a point. Then completely ignore an obvious tripping penalty by Kings on Karlsson with the refs right.
If the league lets that type of conduct by it's referrees then I really question their integrity...
But I hear the Sens did not play well enough to win... maybe they thought they were fighting a losing battle against the Kings and the refs.