Conference stkhlm::hockey

    Yes the Sens stunk, and Tugger will not be getting the next start (what
    the heck was he thinking coming out of the net!). I really do not know
    what is up with Sens? Sometimes they look like all stars, the next
    night I believe the first year Sens would give them a shlacking. Martin
    has done a good job coaching them, their defence is doing well most of
    the time, but the offence just fizzles. I still believe they are one or
    two players away from the cup, they need a proven goal scorer
    (winger) and a maybe a solid defenceman with some offensive skills. One
    strong point of the game was Bonk's goal. It reminded me of Cam Neely
    (B's fans don't get in a huff, I'm not saying he is Cam), the way he
    powered his way to the net by two defenceman was great. I think the key
    is Bonk for the Sens success, I see a future 50 goal scorer. Of course
    he could fizzle, and be a star again in the IHL!
    
    Regards,
    
    Sean

Well, hopefully the Sens put on a better show tonight against the Flames. I've
been given 2 free tickets so Zack (my son) and I will be scoffing hot dogs and
beer/orange soda at the Corel Centre. After attending some Logger games (roller 
hockey)this past summer with Zack, the first thing he asked me when we went to 
see the Sens was,"hey Dad, where's the hot tub?"

Ben

    How many orange sodas will you be having?
    
    papa r.

    >>see the Sens was,"hey Dad, where's the hot tub?"
    
    	It does bring a tear to your eyes doesn't it. :*)
    	It's like the time my boy (2months old at the time) was in the
    	living room while Baywatch was playing. He did a 'double-take'
    	(looked, shaked his head, looked again) when he saw some silicon
    	breasted woman in a bikini. I had tears!!! :*)
    
    Andy

RE: -1

2 months old at the time? He probably did that double-take thinking mmmmmm,
LUNCH! :^)))))))

Ben

    > when he saw some silicon
    >      breasted woman in a bikini. I had tears!!! :*)
    
    WHAT???? you mean their not real??? No Way dude :-)))
    
    There goes my whole weekend.
    

    Yashin could be the best player in the league and I would still consider
    him "dead from the neck up" - no player should be allowed to put a
    team's fans through the crap he did.  And now that he's got the money,
    he's guilty of everything everyone accused Daigle of - not playing to
    his potential and not being the best player on the ice (that will be
    Alfredson).

    >>I was surprised at first by Martin's decision to match Yashin's line
    >>against Messier's, but it worked.
    
    That's one of Martin's philosophies, put your line against their best
    line.
    
    As I've stated before the Sens are hard to figure out.  They come out
    smoking against the league's best teams and fall flat against teams
    that they should (imho) beat.  
    
    Yashin is very inconsistent.  He looks great some nights and other 
    nights he looks like he's pouting.
    
    Bernie. 

    Sens  2
    Leafs 1
    
    Ottawa wins the Ontario cup. Comments: Score should have been 10-0. Can
    someone show Daigle how to put a puck in the net on breakaways? Man o
    Man he was flying in the gardens, guess he liked the ice. How many
    breakaways where there 5 or 6? How many breakaways until the
    Leafs management realizes they are in need of some sure footed
    defenceman. I can probably skate faster than Macoun and Murphy! Okay,
    ride my bike faster. Sens fans protest: Yashin getting a 10 min
    misconduct. Leaf fans protest: Sundin getting 5 min major for boarding,
    and a game misconduct with 8 mins to play. (ouch that hurt!)
    
    Any word on the injury reports on both teams? It was a nasty game.
    
    Sean
     

    Sundin sure sunk to a new low during 
    HNIC. Nailing the Senator from behind
    into the boards. Not only is his team
    losing games, they are also losing any
    class they might have left if any.
    
    
    
    Chris

    The final score was complementary to the Leafs.  Potvin had a huge
    game and the Leafs only goal was a fluke (went in off Domi's arm as he
    was trying to avoid getting hit by the puck).  
    
    Brian,
    
    Just talked to your mom, she says to dump the Leafs and you'll feel
    better.

    
    I was in the dumps (about the Leafs and mom) until Cherry's 1rst period
    show, He said something to the effect that "if you live there, you gotta
    cheer for them..."
    
     MY SENS looked pretty good on Saturday, the only Leaf there was Potvin
    and even then, I think we made him look good a couple times, aiming for
    his glove etc. I hate the knob who was referreeing, I forget his name
    but I would'nt let him piss in my toilet, he's lucky MY SENS were'nt
    hitting the empty spots in the net because that would have been a
    bloodbath if the score was lopsided.
     Cherry also called Pitlik "the sandpaper for the Senators",
    appropriate enough because he sent at least 1 Leaf to the clinic with
    an awesome check in the 3rd, (I forget which Leaf but it doesn't matter,
    they're all bums)
    
     Which of MY SENS went off with his shoulder drooping to the ice? He
    looked hurt after a check behind the Leafs net. Some other Sen went off
    doing the one-legged shuffle, we don't need any more injuries if we are
    going to make the playoffs...
    
    go Sens go

    After reading that, I've come to the conclusion that I hate "Sens" as a
    name for a team. It sucks.

    you're gonna love the new sweaters that have the Peace Tower on them!
    I agree the name sucks though, must confuse the hell out of the rest of
    world, at least its unique.
    
    go Sens go

    ALL RIGHT BRIAN!!!
    
    Cherry's comment about cheering for the home team is the first
    intelligent thing the man has said in two years.
    
    Go Sens Go,
    
    Bernie.

    
    An update of the teams involved in Bernie's beer bet with Toby and 
    Brian.
    
    For the uninformed, at the start of the season, Bernie bet that the 
    Senators would finish ahead of the Bruins and Leafs.
    
    
                     GP  W   L   T   Pts         

     Boston......... 51  20  25   6    46         
     Ottawa......... 49  16  23  10    42         
     Toronto........ 53  19  33   1    39 
    
    
				        

    The Sens beat the Canauks 6-4 at the Corel Center.
    This was by far the best game that I have attended
    yet. I have been to probably a dozen Senator games
    and this one tops all.
    I will say and there are probably lots who will agree
    that Yashin was the best Senator on the ice lastnight.
    1g and 2 assists for him. He is bigger then I thought.
    Usually I sit up In the 3rd level, but we sat right at
    the glass in the home end corner, and these were the
    best seats that I have had the pleasure of having. It 
    was a great game for action. 
    VanAllen had a great game with 2g and Daigle threw a couple
    of checks and put the icing on the cake with a goal to
    make it 6-4. Bonk had some great chances as well, but couldn't
    put them by the fresh goalie off the bench (Maclean).
    This puts the Sens just 4pts out of a playoff spot, and if they
    can continue to play this way, anything is possible.
    
    
    
    Chris

    I agree Chris.  It was a very entertaining game.  Somebody should get
    Daigle pissed off more often.  He was upset about a hit from behind
    that wasn't called.  He got up and bulled over Murzyn and #6 from
    Vancouver.  Great hits!  
    
    Yashin was the best player on the ice once again.  He's playing with a
    lot more desire and that was evident when he scored.  He must have
    jumped about three feet high.  
    
    The Senators have only lost two of their last ten.  However, they're in
    a tough stretch right now.  Tonight they play Boston and it's their 5th
    game in seven nights.
    
    We're already 3 points up on last year with something like 33 games to
    play.  I like it!
    
    Bernie.

    Stephen,
    
    For your peace of mind, I think that you should make the same move that
    Brian has made.  I just saw him this morning and he looks so much
    happier.  The stress and disappointment has been wiped right off his
    face.   Make the Senators your only team for better living ;-)
    
    Bernie.

    either that or having a evening at home with my wife...

    Sure, I'll take an evening at home with your wife!!! When is she
    available?

    Gufaw!

    Sens   4
    Bruins 3
    
    3 wins against the B's this season.
    
    
    Ottawa on a hot streak with 3 wins in a row. Close game in the end but
    Ottawa outplayed the B's. Yashin was held to an assist and was not 
    dominant but Tom Chroske was a force. Ottawa is now showing the depth
    of their organization with the role players coming through even with
    Alfredsson out. Perhaps Alfie can sit out one more game and we can see
    if the Sens win again. If Sexton was still in charge he would have
    traded Alfie yesterday with two wins in a row. 
            
    Sean

    Brian,
    
    Our Sens won again last night.  That's three in a row Brian and they've
    caught up to the hated Bruins.  That's right Brian....the HATED Bruins.
    The other team that you'll have to learn to hate is the Habs. Wait, I
    take that back, you're an ex Leafs fan so you already hate the Habs.
    
    Bernie.

    Teams are starting to get worried about the Sens making the playoffs.
    They are starting to conspire together to make sure they don't make it.
    
    Perfect example is that Mario has said that he plans to take tonight's
    game against Montreal off.    C'mon Mario.....your back looked fine
    last night scoring in the empty net.
    
    pete

    Ever notice that Mtl seems to be playing more against the opposition's
    backup goalie. Like when Bunny Larocque use to play against the Scouts,
    NorthStars, and Barons in the 70s while Dryden took on the B's and
    Flyers. :*))))))
    
    
    Andy

    Sens play San Jose Saturday! Will it be four in a row? Will this game
    decide if Ottawa is a legitmate playoff contender? I'll be there doing
    the play by play with Dick Irvin!
    
    Sean
    

    Sens are 2pts behind Mtl.......
    
    
    	w/ "5" games in hand. 
    
    
    Andy

    
    
    The Sens were totally robbed in lastnight's game
    with the Sabers. Another one of those in the crease
    deals. They must do something about this rule. I 
    think it was Cunneyworth who was tryng to move out
    and he had one skate in and one out when the puck
    went passed Hasek (which by the way, not many do go by).
    This disallowed goal could have made the difference in
    getting 1 or 2 pts rather then 0pts.
    
    
    Chris

    Senators are still in the running for the playoffs, but I notice they
    have fewer wins (18) than anyone else in the league, and more ties (11)
    than anybody except Florida(13).  Is number of wins a tie-breaker in
    determining who makes the playoffs?  If so, this will probably work
    against Ottawa.
    
    (Leafs, by contrast, lead the league in losses (33) and have only 1
    tie, less than any other team.)
    
    -Stephen

    If two teams have the same number of points, the #wins is the first
    tiebreaker.  So it's better to go 1-1-0 than to go 0-0-2.   So if
    the Leafs can manage to catch anyone in the standings, they're a lock
    a winning the tiebreaker :-)
    
    Warren

    I thought it was decided by wins/losses against the team your tied
    with. Examples Sens tie Boston for the final playoff spot, the Sens go
    ahead because of a better record against the B's.
    
    ?
    
    Sean

    > I thought it was decided by wins/losses against the team your tied
    > with. Examples Sens tie Boston for the final playoff spot, the Sens go
    > ahead because of a better record against the B's.
    
    I believe that is the 2nd tie breaker. The first is straight wins.
    
    Dave

    Sens 	5
    NYI  	5
    
    
    Sens blow a 5-3 lead heading into the third, and settle for a tie
    (another one!). Yashin and Alfredsson dominated, Ottawa's defence
    sucked. I listened to this one on the radio, and it seemed to be a wide
    open game. Maybe CHRO will get the hint and allow some road games to be
    televised and perhaps they could also fire the marketing manager for
    the Sens who set up this stupid T.V. contract. Televising home games
    and nothing on road games sure does make alot of sense and should put
    scores of fans into the stands.
    
    Sean

    
    It is pretty hard to hold the lead when you
    don't show up for the 3rd period. The Sens
    had a total of 3 S.O.G during the 3rd.
    Yashin had another good game.
    
    
    Chris

    Re: Sens/CHRO television schedule -
    
    The CFRA guys explained why it's the way it is.  Seems the contract
    between the TV station and the CRTC (the guys that control radio and TV
    in Canada) says they can only show sports at certain times of the week. 
    So they looked at the Sens schdule during the days they could televise
    and it turned out most of the slots were home games.  Nothing could be
    done...
    
    Next year, the TV station will be operating under a different
    arrangement and most TV games will be on the road.
    

    -< Not That I'll Watch Them, But.... >-
    
    No kidding. You'll be in Calgary by then. 
    
    Andy

    About Yashin...
    
    I was watching "Hockey Week" on TSN last night.  Yashin was named the
    "performer of the week".   Then they showed the top five goals of the
    week and one of Yashin's goal was number 1.
    
    He's been on fire lately and is playing with emotion.  I hope he keeps
    it up.
    
    Bernie.   

    >>hope he stays hot...and happy 
    
    Bernie, Bernie, Bernie.
    Once the playoffs start, the players are no longer 'paid' by salary but
    more on the basis of 'team bonuses'(winners of each series are awarded
    x-amount of $$$); this is where the pure game-lovers perform real well.
    
    Andy

    re - the TV coverage
    
    CHRO is part of the BBS network this year and because of that, the only 
    nights when CHRO are free to show their own programming is Wednesdays 
    and Fridays.
    
    As Garry alluded to, next year CHRO is an independent station and can chose
    when they want to televise Sens games.   
    
    FYI, the Sens president met with Bettman the other day and asked for a
    better schedule for next season...including more Saturday night games.
    
    
    pete

    Okay, I'll take back the stuff about the idoits and firing the
    marketing manager! But the schedule is terrible and it has only
    hampered the Sens at the gate and total audience interest. Thank God
    that CFRA has some decent hockey guys to comment on the game. I could
    also just imagine Lowell Green being a commentator 'Get to work Yashin, 
    you money sucking socialist refugee! or go back to Russia!' {:-O
                              
    Sean

    And now OCTranspo is talking about going out on strike again.....Just
    one more thing to hurt the Sens gate on Sunday   (apparently around
    16000 sold already....wonder how many were taking the bus?)
    
    pete 

    Sens get smacked by Philly 4-2. Sort of an exciting game. I watched the
    last two periods on RDS, although my french is so-so, I had to put the
    mute on while I listened to CFRA for the play-by-play. I can live with
    this. Frank Musil had the quickest fight I have ever seen against 
    Brind'Amour, one punch and Frank was on the ice covering his head, it
    was quite funny. I was also glad to see Laukkenan lay out babe Lindros
    with a legal check although the ref called it a trip (more star
    favouritism?). He sent the big man flying, and knocked him out for half
    the period (sore leg?). Sucked that the Sens lost.
    
    Sean
    Your Sens notefile commentator
    

    

        re. Sean....

             I saw the highlights and it looked like a 
        cheap shot and trying to deliberately injure a
        good player....

                               IMO of course...


                                         BJ

    To bad for the Sens, they were just plainly
    outmatched. It is great watching Lindros play,
    he just manhandles guys that try to take the 
    puck from him. He was setting guys up all night.
    It was tough on me cause I want the Sens to make 
    the playoffs, but hey, unlike some people, I stick
    with one team, and that is Philly :)
    
    
    Chris
    

    The hit on Lindros was a beautiful hip check....perfectly clean and
    legal.  Lindros tried to jump out of the way but didn't quite make it
    and caught his leg.   In fact, notice that while Lindros was spinning
    thru the air, he swung his stick trying to connect with Laukennan.
    
    I couldn't believe that the ref called it a penalty....never mind
    tripping!
    
    pete

    
    ...and we wonder why refs sometimes make bad calls - there's three
    different opinions, and you guys saw videotape!
    
    Didn't see it, but always laugh when that happens...  Percentage says
    star favoritism tho.
    
    JM2c
    
    Mike

    Well I couldn't believe that it was a penalty.  Actually, I couldn't
    believe how badly this game was called by Schick.  On the Musil
    incident,  as the two players head towards the boards, Brind'amour puts 
    his hand behind Musils helmet and shoves his face in the glass, Schick 
    puts his arm up to call a penalty, the two players look at each other, 
    Brind'amour drops the gloves and throws about 10 punches at Musil.  Musil 
    turtles.  The call was two minutes each for roughing!!!   Freaking
    unreal!!!  The RDS commentators were laughing at how the calls (and in 
    some cases the non calls).
    
    Remember, this is the same guy who denied a game tying goal to Ottawa a 
    few weeks back because in his mind the play was dead so it didn't
    matter that he hadn't blown the whistle.  He actually went to the video
    before making that call!  
    
    
    I don't mind my team loosing to a better team.  But it makes me sick
    when you have to beat the referee too.
    
    Bernie.

    re -.1
    -< Schick Sucks >-
    
    Try to say that w/o slurring. :*)
    
    Andy

    >   -< Schick Sucks >-
    >
    >    Try to say that w/o slurring. :*)
    >
    
    Five times fast...
    
    The reason there's 3 different opinions is because of some biases in
    here I think.  A ref is supposed to be totally unbiased, so it
    shouldn't be a hard call.  Since I'm totally unbiased in this case,
    I can easily say that it should have been no penalty and that Lindros
    is indeed a Big Baby.  (Of course, I didn't see the play :-)
    
    Warren 

    re-216
    
    I guess you missed the part where Musil
    elbowed Brindamour in the face. That is when
    Rod took it upon him self to get even by
    smashing Musils face in the glass. 
    Martin should of benched Musil for the rest
    of the game for turtling like he did. That 
    was sad but a smart decision by Musil. He would of
    been hammered.
    
    Chris

    
    The Sens split there weekend series against
    the Whalers. This puts them 1pt behind the
    Whale and 2pts behind Washington. The Sens
    are in Washington tommorow. This and every
    other game is going to be very important.
    Every game is a big game for the Sens.
    
    
    Chris
    

    Very big! Guess they'll blow it. Well it is a true test of if the Sens
    really belong in the playoffs. Go Sens!
    
    Sean

    Sens 6
    Caps 1
    
    
    	Sens whip the Capitals and move into a playoff spot.. Is it a
    dream? Did hell freeze over? What's going on here?
         
    Sean

    It's no dream, the Caps' season is a nightmare, they're making anyone
    look good. I don't think the Caps'll make the playoffs this year.
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Fred,
    	What's happenned to Simon. In his 1st 2-3 weeks in Wash, he was
    one of the best NHL'ers. Haven't heard squat since.
    
    Brendan Witt is back in the NHL. He had a toe-to-toe fight w/ Gratton
    last week. Hey! It's a start. :*)
    
    Andy

    Simon's injured, he started fast, however, he seemed to fade before his
    injury. Yes, Witt's back with the Caps. With all the injuries half of
    the Portland Pirates are playing with the Caps now. Don't be surprised
    if there's a trade involving Carey in the near future.
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Update on the standings for Bernie's beer bet.
    
    P.S.- Bernie, I've taken the liberty of adding Montreal's record to the
    following.  Do you think you can find a Hab fan who will be willing to
    put up a case?
    
    
                 GP    W     L     T     PTS
                 --    --    --    --    ---
    Montreal     61    22    28    11    55
    Ottawa       58    20    26    12    52
    Boston       58    20    31     7    47
    Toronto      59    22    35     2    46
    
    

    I like the looks of that Pete.   Could be a good Spring!  

    So, will it be the Sens who give Philly fits in the first round and
    possibly upset them this year instead of Tampa Bay?  Sounds good.
    
    Warren

    
    Warren... You still sound pretty bitter after Philly
    swept the Pens last weekend. Let it go :)
    
    I guess you figure Philly is definatley finishing 1st
    in their Conference. :)
    
    
    Chris

    Me? Bitter? about the Flyers?  Where'd you get that idea?  :-)
    
    Anyway, since Lindros is back, and Flyers got beat (up) by Tampa Bay
    and couldn't beat Hartford, well, maybe the Flyers won't finish first.
    So, the Senators are going to have to go for seventh or better to play
    them.
    
    Warren

    
    Thanks for the update Pete ...
    
    I almost forgot about the standings.  8-)
    
    Plenty-o-time yet.... I hope!
    
    
    Toby

    re: Philly game tonight in Ottawa
    
       Rhodes has got a swollen ankle and will not be dressing, Tugnutt is
    in net for the game tonight. Ottawa has been known to give Philly a
    rough time and, as Cunneyworth is quoted as saying in the Sun, "it is
    the biggest Wednesday night game this week". 

    Sens    5
    Philly  8
    
    	Exciting game... Sens hopes at a playoff spot are fading... Legion
    of Doom shows up with 15 points. Are these guys going to the cup, with
    big E leading the way?
    
    Sean

    Daigle had a pretty good game.  Yashin sucked!!!
    
    Heading for CGO....
    
    Lockyer!

    re: -1   Huh???
    
    The only time Daigle touched the puck was when Rumble handed it to him
    for his goal.   I thought Yashin was the best Senator on the ice.
    Bonk's got to get in gear.  He was floating last night.
    
    Sens simply could not handle Lindros-Leclair-Renberg.  Great passing
    from those three.  I was impressed with the quickness and accuracy of
    their passes.  Leclair is deadly around the net.
    
    Have a good time in Calgary Garry.
    
    Bernie.

    I have to agree, the only time Daigle hustled was
    when Rumble coughed the puck on to Daigles stick.
    He was obviously just coasting out there. Everyone
    noticed it. He didn't even get alot of icetime; he 
    can't handle the bigger guys. I would have to say
    that Mceacheren(sp) was one of the better Sens lastnight.
    Yashin did have a decent game, but did take a bad penalty
    (boarding).
    
    
    Chris

    
    
    Legion of DOOM!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	What a great name for a line, I love it.  The Sens got a first hand
    demonstration of it last night.  Being the only Flyers fan in my
    section proved to be quite entertaining.  The way that Philly and
    Ottawa traded goals in the first ten minutes had everybody up and down
    like a toilet seat. The seats beside me were empty at the start of the
    game and the guys(who had just arrived from England) got their about
    the 10 minute mark.  They couldn't believe the score.  They said it was 
    2-2 when they parked the car and by the time they sat down it was 4-4!
    
    	Ottawa just can't handle the flyers.  The Lindros line put on a
    good display of puck control with crip passing that was something to
    see.  I was impressed by the Big E's pass for I think the last goal
    were he feathered one across to a wide open man.
    
    	Now if they could get a goal tender! Snow wasn't sharp, but in his
    defense, his defense had left their brains in the dressing room.  Many
    times the Flyers defense handed the puck to a senator player for a
    lovely breakaway.
    
    	I didn't think Daigle did much of anything except stand at the
    flyer blue line waiting for the puck.  Yashin I thought played better
    than Dailge but took a stupid penalty and didn't really rise to the
    challenge.  I still like McEachern though.
    
    Scott  

    The Sens have yet to score on this Western road trip.
    They lost 2-0 to the Ducks and 2-0 to the Sharks.
    There playoff hopes are fading fast. 
    
    
    
    
    Chris

    I thought the score was 4-1 in Anaheim.
    
    Ray.
    

    Oops, I was somewhere else when I did that note Ray :)
    
    It was 4-1.
    
    
    Chris

    You're right Chris, their chances are fading.  
    
    Of their remaining games only 6 are at home so they need to win on the 
    road.  I feel that they have to come home with a least four points on
    this four game trip just to stay alive.    
    
    They play LA Saturday night.  The Kings have been playing better
    lately.  Then they take on the red hot Coyotes on Monday.  Looks like
    it could be all over by the time they get home from this trip
    especially when you consider their April schedule.  
    
    Bernie.

    and they have injuries to key players. I'm not sure when any of those
    guys get back but we need them, Cunneyworth, Rhodes and Ducheshene(sp?)

    While they made of had hopes, they never had a chance...
    

    >>While they made of had...
    
    	Is that Calgarian talk?  ;-)
    
    	How was the drive or are you logged in from Thunder Bay?
    
    Bernie.
    
    
    

    Been in CGO since Sunday...
    
    Bad weather to North Bay
    Bad bad weather for about an hour out of North Bay
    Clear from Hearst to Manitoba Border
    Then it was crap to Winnipeg
    Piece of cake to Saskatoon
    Crap almost all the way to CGO...
    
    Thunder Bay - didn't even stop there, do they have a lockyer team!!
    
    Almost forgot, played hockey a 12:00 (Noon) Monday - good way to start
    a new job!!!
    

    >>do they have a lockyer team!!
    
    More CGO talk or too much fumes?  
    
    Glad to see the old Sunbird made it.
    
    Hockey at Noon!  Gotta like it.  Will we see a CGO team at next year's
    tournament?
    
    Bernie. 

    Now you see what happens when you think you can touch type....
    
    I'm hoping there will be a CGO or Western Team next year, else I'll
    have to resign my oh so powerful positin on the tournament committee!!

    Gar,
    	You better have a CGO team next year. The Stangs must be already
    looking for a new goalie. ;*)
    
    	BTW, the kid that replaced you in the KDHL this week was pretty
    good.
    
    Hopefully, "I" didn't hurt your feelings or anything. :*)
    
    Andy

    My contract with the Stangs is up after this year.  I figure I can make
    the Raiders playing on the same line as Ray...
    
    It was "the kids" first game in the "K" - all I saw was MY GAA went
    up...
    
    Anybody whose feeling can be hurt after being around you for 5 minutes
    must be deaf...
    
    Au Revoir Mon Ami!

    
    Garry,
    
    If you resign your post we'll go back to handwriting
    all the stats/game reports    8-)
    
    
    Toby

    Bad weekend all around for the Senators. Isles leap frog over them and
    the lowly ;-) Bruins catchup to them.
    
    Looks like the Sens might get another first overall pick again. 
    Consecutive losses against the Kings, Ducks and Sharks!!!  They play
    red hot Phoenix tonight.  The Coyotes have not given up a goal in three
    games.  The Sens have managed only two goals in their past three games.
    
    Toby, do you prefer lager, ale, dark ale or pilsener? 
     
    Bernie.
    

    Sens salvage a bit of the road trip and beat Phoenix 4-1. Still only 4
    points out of a playoff spot? The Sens could have used at least 3 wins
    on this trip. 16 games left... 
                                    
    Sean

    15 games left....6 at home, 9 on the road.

    15 games, yep
    

    re: -< Nit picker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >-
    
    Sean,
    
    It's not nit picking.  All of the regulars in here are very keen into
    providing accurate information.  Heck, some of us even tell our wives
    about the information in here.  Except if it's posted by Andy ;-)
    You see, Andy is known for providing false information.  Believe me,
    you don't want to be included in the same bag as Andy.  Most of us
    ignore what Andy writes.  So if you're going to write it, make sure it's 
    right.   :-)
    
    Bernie.

    BERNIE!!!! What have I ever done to you. Dave I understand, but you!?
    :*)
    
    This is a notesfile damnit! I don't get raises nor do I get job reviews
    based on my accuracy in here. On second thought maybe I do (no raise,
    no job review for ages). :*)
    
    Andy

    >>I don't get raises nor do I get job reviews
    >>based on my accuracy in here. 
    
    That's a good thing Andy otherwise you'd be out of a job ;-)
    
    I knew I'd get a reaction from you.!
    
    Bernie.

    
    CBC has bumped the Toronto game off the local airwaves to show the
    Sens/Habs match on Saturday night, a good move I think. Wonder if the
    game tonight against New York is on the tube anywhere?
    Also read where CBC is evaluating their broadcast schedule on a weekly
    basis from now until playoffs start and they are looking for viewer
    input, I'm trying to find out where to send e-mail to CBC sports?
    couple of big games for the Sens this weekend, should be entertaining
    hockey, curling, golf, have to pick up batteries for the remote!
    Brian

    The Senators' game is on CHRO tonight.
    
    I hope that the Rangers are already in town 'cause it's quite nasty out
    there.  Wouldn't be surprised if they close the airport.
    
    Bernie.

    they're in town, Gretzky's picture arriving at the hotel is in today's
    Sun, a really great picture, should win an award...
    
    (it's not, it looks like the kind of picture my mother takes at barbecues
     after she's had 'just a small one'. Its just a non-descrip picture of
     Wayne going somewhere in a hurry. I don't know why I'm rambling on,
     this picture is NOT worth the thousand words I am writing about
     here,its a realy lousy picture...)

    Brian,
    
    Is that YOUR opinion about the picture or is it Ben's? (Ben's the one
    with the Sun, Right?!) ;-)
    
    Anyways, I just wanted to remark at how you often bring in your mom
    in your conversations or writings.  That's nice and very thoughtful of 
    you.  Buy her a better camera will you!
    
    Bernie.

    
        there is nothing wrong with the spy camera I bought her, she hasn't
        learnt to use it right.
        my mother is a saint.
       
    ps who is Ben?

    I thought his name was Bernard?
    
    

    The Sens lost in O/T to the rangers on Friday and then tied the Habs on
    Saturday in MTL. They play in New York tonight. I didn't see either
    game but I saw a highlight that had Yashin and Daigle scoring a goal
    together, that doesn't happen too often! I didn't think Leury let on
    the ice together?
     

    You're right Brian, they shouldn't be on the ice together.
    
    They're usually on the power play together.  For a while, Martin had
    them playing together and both went into a slump.  They played about 10
    games together before Martin finally gave up.  
    
    They Senators were lucky to get a point in Montreal but deserved better 
    on Friday against the Rangers. 
    
    Tonight's game against the Rangers is on RDS.
    
    Bernie.
    

    >> but I saw a highlight that had Yashin and Daigle scoring a goal
    >>    together, that doesn't happen too often
    
    
    	What you saw is the 2 of them on a 2 on 1 and Daigle did NOT pass
    it to Yashin. I guess it was payback for all the times this year that
    Daigle was in the clear and Yashin didn't pass it to him. ;*)
    
    Andy

    Have the Sens fans been hearing any rumors about possible trades with
    the Blues. The rumor I heard was Stephane Matteau and Igor Kravchuck
    for Sean Hill and Steve Duchesne????? Anything floating around up
    there??? I would love to see that trade (and Sens fans wouldn't,
    Kravchuck is a slug).
    
    Another rumor is John Casey going to Montreal for Murray Baron. Please
    Please make this trade. Our defense really sucks right now.
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    	Don't be surprised to see Baron going back to Philly (where he once
    started). 
    
    Speaking of Philly, they HAVE to make a trade for a goalie
    
    andy

    	The Hill and Duchesne trade to St-Louis surfaced over here last week.
    I hope it's just a rumour!  Hill is poised to become a dominant d-man
    in the NHL (depending on how he comes back from his severe knee
    injury).  He's 26 and was playing really well when the injury occured.    
    
    	Duchesne has been mentioned in just about every trade
    rumour involving the Senators for the past year and a half.  Reason
    being that he is very much in demand.  I would be surprised to see
    Pierre Gauthier trade him.  When asked about the rumours last week he
    said "Why would I trade one of my best players?"
    
    Bernie.

    re:-1  about Sean Hill
        "a dominant d-man...", "his severe knee injury...", "He's 26..."
        
    Bernie, reminds of a lot of another defenseman in NHL, played for one
    of the east coast teams...

    Al Iafrate

    Didn't help that Iafrate smoked between periods, drank like a fish, and
    off season workouts were in nightclubs..
    
    Sens beat the Rangers 4-3, Chorske scored on a 95 foot slap shot (luck
    of the Irish?). I did not catch this on the tube because I did not know
    it was on RDS (for some reason I did not check RDS), I listened to it 
    on CFRA while working out at home. Anyone see the slapper? Was it a
    good game to watch....
    
    Sean
    

    Very entertaining game.
    
    This was very much like Friday's game although I thought that the
    Senators outplayed the Rangers on Friday.  This time the Rangers
    outplayed the Senators but the Sens came out on top.
    
    Tugnutt had a great game.  He's been pretty solid filling in for
    Rhodes.  Nice shorthanded goal by Bonk.   I don't know what Richter was 
    thinking in Chorske's goal.  That's two games in a row against the
    Rangers that Chorske is given a gift.  On Friday, Leetch put one in on
    his own net and Chorske was credited with the goal.  This time, Chorske 
    slaps the puck in from just past the red line.
    
    Bernie.

    Sens won in spite of Yashin trying to give the game away.
    
    On the first Ranger goal, he was checking Flatley against the boards but 
    then when Flatley cut to the slot, Yashin didn't go with him.
    On the second goal, he was on the ice standing in front of the net not
    really marking anyone (aong with the rest of the Sens).
    On the third goal, he made one of those stupid behind the back passes
    (a long one at that) that he basically gave away to the Ranger
    defenseman....a quick pass to Gretzky and it's in the net.
    
    
    I hate watching games from Madison Square Garden......the camera is too
    far back... it's hard to see the puck (maybe it's my age!).   
    On Chorske's long shot, it would have been nice to see it from a camera 
    at the end of the rink......no camera angle picked up on the supposed 
    deflection off of the Ranger defenseman (around the blue line).
    
    pete

    Thanks Pete!
    
    From my warped POV, Yashin occasionally has a good game...

From Brian in .270, back on Monday:

>   re:-1  about Sean Hill
>       "a dominant d-man...", "his severe knee injury...", "He's 26..."
>       
>   Bernie, reminds of a lot of another defenseman in NHL, played for one
>   of the east coast teams...

Sounds to me like Gord Kluzak.

Steve

    Attended the game against Florida last night.  Final was 2 - 2.  
    First period ended 2 - 1 for Ottawa. The Sens had a terrific second period 
    but couldn't get the third goal which probably would have sealed the
    win.
    
    A new star made his debut at the Corel Centre as Jeremy "Deke" Carswell 
    son of Kanata Mustang d-man Gord Carswell took to the ice between the 
    first and second period.  Mom (Carol-Ann) also works at DIGITAL on
    contract.
    
    Jeremy and three of his teamates were involved in a shootout between
    periods.  Jeremy scored twice on three shots.  Way to go Jeremy!
    
    Bernie.  

    >> Jeremy scored twice on three shots.
    
    So in a 10 minute shootup, Jeremy's scored more goals than his Dad
    did all year? I'll agree that he's good, but what does that say for
    his Dad? :*))))
    
    Andy

    Sens slam the Bruins 5-4!
    
    Take 4 out of 6 meetings this year.
    
    
    Sean
    

    Sens get slammed 5-0 by Tampa Bay. Didn't listen to the game. Listened
    to the post game report on CFRA and the call-ins were calling for
    Damian Rhoades to be sidelined for Tugnutt. Dean Brown did say it was a
    whole team "lack of effort" that caused this schlacking. Glad to see
    the Sens can win these important games....
    
    
    Sean

    I think they should of started Tugger also.
    But then again, Rhodes did make 10 saves.  :(
    
    
    Chris

    Problem w/ the Sens (I think) is partly goaltending.
    Rhodes is not a quality starter (as is Thibeault).
    All the Sens goalies came in here and looked good (Beaupre, Billington
    and ???) but none did well after they left.
    
    I don't like small goalies; they're not consistent enough for the NHL.
    
    
    Andy

    I saw three of the goals that Rhodes gave up.  I don't think that he 
    could be faulted on them.  On the other hand, the defense looked real
    bad on all three goals.  
    
    Bicanek got beat on the outside allowing Samsonov to just walk in. On
    the second gaol, Pitlick or Duchesne (I'm not sure) had the puck in the
    slot, 10 feet in front of Rhodes when his stick was lifted by a Tampa
    player who then got two cracks at it.  Rhodes made the
    initial save but the forward was allowed to take another shot on the
    rebound.  The third goal was a breakaway while Ottawa had a man
    advantage.
    
    
    Bernie.

    Oh it was definatley a whole team lack of effort.
    No doubt about it.
    
    
    Chris

    Sens beat the Pathers 3-2, it wasn't as close as the score indicated.
    Highlights, a young girl in the crowd taking a stick in the mind from
    Gord Murphy who tossed York's (Van Allen's) stick. Bad part, Security
    took the stick away from the girl, the girl cried, the crowd booed, and
    a bunch of lawyers struggled to reach her. :-)
    
    Sean
    

    Sens kick Montreal's butt! 5-2.. Awesome game... Tugnutt looked good...
    The stars are shinning...
    
    Sean
    
    

    Ray,
    
    Did not see this game?  Were you at the Corel Centre for a romantic
    evening?  I would like to hear your comments on this one.
    
    Ben,
    
    Are you in today?
    
    Bernie.

    Of course he's in......he put in his opinion on the Detroit-Colorado
    game in order to deflect attention away from the Sens-Habs result.
    
    pete

Never-say-die Sens earn Ontario's team honors

THE PROVINCE of Ontario is arguably the world's most       [By Damien Cox]
succulent hockey marketplace, but both of its NHL
operations conduct themselves like hard-luck kids in need of a new pair of
shoes.

The Ottawa Senators do so because they must.

The Maple Leafs do so because skinflint ownership uses eager-to-please
management to perpetrate a sporting masquerade.

Between them, the post-trade deadline payrolls of the Senators ($16.9
million U.S.) and the Leafs ($18.4 million) don't equal that of the New York
Rangers. Both would have to spend millions just to reach the league's
current payroll average of $22.9 million, as calculated by The Hockey News.

But that doesn't make the Leafs and Sens the same.

Despite doing business in an enormously lucrative market, the Leafs have
spent the last 13 months dumping salary like drugs down a toilet during a
police raid.

Only seven of 26 NHL clubs spend less on athletic talent than Toronto,
shocking considering the resources at hand.

Now the Senators franchise also knows something about putting garbage on ice
at major-league prices.

But this season, despite being in need of league subsidies just to make ends
meet, Sens management still opted to retain $2 million defenceman Steve
Duchesne at the deadline and strive for a longshot Stanley Cup tournament
berth.

The Oilers and Flames, playoff hopefuls both, chose to eliminate salary.
Ottawa did not.

That statement of competitive intent alone makes the Sens worth of carrying
the provincial banner.

It also makes it pleasing that the nation's capital could be a veritable
hockey hotbed this spring.

Maybe the Sens grab their first playoff game since the Depression. The
junior 67's are a potential contestant in the Memorial Cup, which will take
place in May across the river in Hull. The Senators' No. 1 draft choice from
last summer, Chris Phillips, is a possible participant in that event with
the Lethbridge juniors.

On a professional level, there are numerous reasons to embrace the
never-say-die Sens, particularly the recent performances of their low-paid
veterans, defencemen Janne Laukkanen and Jason York, and goaltender Ron
Tugnutt.

Between them, Laukkanen and York pull down less than Jamie Macoun, but
together comprise Ottawa's most important defensive pair. The 175-pound
Laukkanen, acquired from Colorado for Canadian national junior captain Brad
Larsen last summer, has been a revelation.

Tugnutt's curious contractual arrangment, meanwhile, would see him draw a
larger cheque if he were assigned to Ottawa's farm operation.

The 31-year-old Tugnutt was headed to Sweden when the Sens tendered a free
agent offer sheet that was structured to scare off the Washington Capitals
from matching. Rather than face the possibility of paying Tugnutt big money
for minor-league work, the Caps let him walk.

Now, at a most reasonable $280,000 (Cdn.) a season, Tugnutt has stolen the
club's No. 1 goaltending job away from Damian Rhodes. While the Sens gave
Rhodes $1 million (U.S.) a year last summer to be the man in a playoff run
such as this, Tugnutt has started 13 of the past 15 games.

The efforts of those three vets and that of the Sens in general have been
wonderful to watch, although the schedule and the odds suggest the playoff
quest is doomed to fall short.

But Ottawa's NHLers have heart, grit and management dedicated solely to
winning. Ontario's team.

                             -------------------

Damien Cox's hockey column usually appears four times a week.

    I like it!!!  It's great to see Toronto writers finally seeing the
    light.  Too bad some Hab fans in this conference who reside within 
    spitting distance of the Corel Centre can't see the light!  
    
    Bernie.

    If I lived within spitting distance of the Corel Center, I'd be wasting
    a lot of saliva on it!! :*))
    
    Ray.
    

RE: -1

That was priceless Ray! Thanks for a good laugh! :^)))

Ben

    I'll have to be more careful with my choice of words in the future :-(
    
    You must be a little sore at the Habs record against the Senators.  I
    can feel a rivalry building.
    
    Bernie.
    
    

    I didn't get to see last nite's game, but it must of been a very
    impressive win by the Sens. As for the Caps, the big trade hasn't paid
    back any substantial dividends yet, and time is running out on the
    them.
    
    I'm really happy for coach Jacques Martin; you can really tell he
    coached some key players in Jr. hockey before making it to the
    show!!!:*)))
    
    Ray.
    

    >>I'm really happy for coach Jacques Martin; you can really tell he
    >>coached some key players in Jr. hockey before making it
    
    Apparantly he referred to these key players as "special projects" ;-)
    
    Great day to be a Sens fan:
    	- back to back shutouts
    	- it's Friday
    	- beautiful Spring day 
    	- I play hockey tonight...followed by big year end party
    	- best of all, Toby owes me a case of New England's best :-) :-) :-)
    
    The Sens have outscored Washington 17 - 3 in four games this season.  I
    wish we played them and the Habs all the time.  We'd be undefeated ;-)
    
    A win aginst Hartford next Wednesday and two points out of the
    remaining eight points available would most likely get us into the
    playoff.
    
    Some comments after attending last night's game:
    	- I hate Dale Hunter.  I can't understand how he gets away with all
    	that crap.
    	- Ranford seems to be going through the motions.
    	- I wish Tinordi was on my team.
    	- Tugnutt is making it look real easy.  I  hope he keeps it up.
    	- Nice reception for the Sens following the big win in Buffalo.
    	- Jacques Martin deserves some votes for Coach of the year. Nolan
    	and Hitchcock have also done a tremendous job.
    	- Wade Redden should be considered in the rookie voting but he
    	won't be because of the style of hockey he plays. He quietly gets
    	the job done. 
    	- Nice to see Pitlick score a goal and get the first star.  His
    	wife gave birth to their first child the night before.  The
    	local newspaper called it right when they predicted that he would
    	be looking to score one for the newborn son.   He also added an
    	assist.
    
    Bernie.
    
    	

    Didn't Daigle get the winning goal?

    
    That game even sounded good on the radio! CFRA does a great job on
    their radio show.  Pitlick (sp?) was great last night, they oughta make
    a movie, he's a class act too.
    
    The Habs play quite a few of their remaining games against the teams
    that Ottawa is trying to beat in the standing, I may have to break down
    and cheer the Habs.
    
    I don't expect to see Rhodes unless Tugger starts to lose it, he is on
    a heck of roll, his first 2 shotouts in 30 months are back to back.
    The Sens remain unbeaten in games where they are winning after 2
    periods, another tribute to the coaching staff I think...
    

    
    Bernie,
    
    		New englands best???
    
    
    	is that Pilgrim or Bershire or Sammy's (pittsburgh)  ????
    
    
    Toby
    
      

    Sniff...
    
    

    So - maybe the biggest game in the history of the Senators franchise
    tonight (at least since 1917).  They host Hartford.  Can they do it?
    
    Warren

    >>(at least since 1917)
    
    Not since 1917, since 1930.  
    
    They can do it.  I expect them to do it but it might not matter in the 
    long run unless the Islanders beat Montreal tonight.   
    
    Bernie.

    Sens 5
    Hat  4
    
    What a great game. Quick comment... Koharski sucks.
    
    I was really impressed with this game, it was exciting, fast and
    cool. I have not experienced a game like this since I was a
    kid watching the Canadiens verus Nordiques in the playoffs. I also
    started to experience the Cup syndrome when the score was tied 4-4. 
    I think all Canadian hockeys fans can attest this feeling. That punched 
    hard in the gut feeling was coming on, last time I felt that was when I 
    was at Marshies watching Canada's best outplay those yanks, and then bang 
    one high stick goal later, boom another goal, then comes the shot to the 
    gut and you walk away asking 'what happened?'. Well, the Sens changed
    that, and Cunneyworth's goal my Hockey fan ego some respect. Thanks
    Randy.
    
    Sean 
    
      
    

    Great game...too bad I wasn't there to witness it.  That was only the
    fourth game that I've missed this year :-(. 
    
    It's too bad that the Islanders couldn't beat Montreal.  The Isles are
    now out of the race and their game against Hartford is now meaningless.
    For Ottawa to get into the playoffs, Hartford must loose at least one
    point in the two games that they have left.  The bad part is that 
    Hartford plays the Islanders and then Tampa Bay on Sunday.  Both games
    will be meaningless to the Whalers's opposition.
    
    The Sens must play Detroit and Buffalo.  Even if they win both games
    they will be tied with the Whalers (I expect the Whalers to win their 
    games)  and the Whalers will get in the playoff because they have more
    wins :-(
    
    But we can always hope...
    
    Bernie. 
    
    Bernie. 

    Tampa Bay is still in it. Canadiens lost last night so they are still
    catchable by Hartford and Ottawa. It still comes down to who has the
    desire to make the playoffs. The Sens no matter what still have to win
    and not worry about the other guys. I do not know how I will feel if
    the Sens do not make the plafoffs. Either I'll be happy with their year
    (more than I expected) or I'll be dwelling on the point that
    one extra win could have made them play-off bound, then I'll blame
    that ref Rob Schick (SP?) for all those bogus skate in the crease calls
    he made against the Sens.
    
    If Montreal lose their remaining game, Ottawa will only need 3 points
    out of four to make the playoffs. 
    
    What a weekend it will be!
    
    
    Sean
    

Sean,

be happy regardless.  The Senators are moving in the right direction.  It
should be even better next year.  Getting to the playoffs would be nice,
but it'll be nicer down the line when there's some hope of advancing.

I've been hoping both Ottawa and Hartford would make the playoffs, because
I feel the organizations deserve the reward of (re)building the right way.
If only one of them makes it, I kind of hope it's Hartford, as a reward to
their (admittedly few) loyal fans before they leave town.

Steve

    Rick Bowness and the Islanders can help out Ottawa by winning tonight.
    Ottawa plays in Detroit tonight, I haven't seen  much of the Wings this
    year but Ottawa will do well to beat them at home in what is a nothing
    game for Detroit, hopefully that will help.
    
    Ottawa just has to look at the "Games Tied" column if they are looking
    for missing points! Spilled milk but I hope they remember that next
    November. There will be quite a few teams playing golf early this year
    because of a small difference in the standings, really comes down to
    small details, a hit post here or there, a ref that blows his whistle
    in his mind, a big toe in the crease. You don't want to have it all
    hinge on the chance that the other guy loses with 2 games left in a
    82 game season.
    
    There are no golf courses open yet in the Ottawa area anyway, they
    might as well be playing hockey or they are gonna have to sit at home
    with their wives and tackle the job jar...
    
    

    Heard a rumor that Bowman is sitting some of 
    his stars tonight against Ottawa. 
    
    Lets hope it is
    
    Fedorov
    Larionov
    Yzerman
    Shannahan
    Konstatinov
    
    Just to list a few  :)
    
    Chris
    

    Congrats to the Sens and their fans on making the playoffs for the
    first time in (modern) history. The should savor the valuable playoff
    experience and, you never know what can happen in the playoffs. Heck,
    they may have an easier time advancing in the "weaker" eastern
    conference than the Blues have in the "tough" western conference :-)))
    
    Dave

    Well they did it! The previos note beat me to the punch, but here goes 
    "YAHHOOOO!!!!!!!"
    
    Two exciting games against Detroit and Buffalo, 2 wins and 7th place (ahead
    on the Habs I might add). I really think that Ottawa can get past the
    Sabres, but if they don't, I will still be happy.
    
    Sean

On the basis of which tiebreaker do the Sens finish ahead of the Habs?
Their records are identical.

Steve

    I was just wondering if all the Yashin haters would
    like to bury their heads now. I don't hear to many
    bad things about him as of late. Maybe it has something
    to do with him playing great!  :)
    
    Beauty pass from Yashin to Dushene (sp) and a nice low
    shot from Dushene to put them in the playoffs.
    
    
    Chris

    Ottawa had a better head-to-head record against Montreal...
    
    Warren

    Good job Ottawa, best wishes for playoff success! 
    
    cheers,
    	fred deady

    What a weekend!!!
    
    I drove back from the Digital Tournament in Montreal on Saturday so
    that I could make it to the game.  Now before you guys get on my back
    about me making plans before knowing if my tournament team was going
    to make the playoffs let me tell you that Montreal is just two hours
    away and had my team made the playoffs, I would have driven back to 
    Montreal right after the Senators' game.  Besides, we (the Eagles) had 
    about as much chance of making the tournament playoffs as the Bruins 
    had of making the NHL playoffs ;-)
    
    I'm glad that I made it back to Ottawa for the game. It was well worth it.  
    The Corel Centre was ROCKIN!!!  Too bad the Flyers couldn't finish off
    the Habs.  Apparently Ray was quite nervous at the 4 Glaces Saturday
    night ;-)
    
    Bernie.

    > Apparently Ray was quite nervous at the 4 Glaces Saturday night ;-)
    
    Bernie,
    
    	It was a classic indeed. Here we are at the DEC tourney's '4
    glaces' bar (easily 150 of us) watching both the Sens-Sabres and 
    Habs-Flyers game. When the Sens scored, the place erupted....except
    for Ray. He was watching the Habs game and didn't quite notice the
    Sens game. When the Habs scored, Ray was the only one to jump; a lonely
    man he was. Even Ben had been converted over to a Sens fan by then.
    
    Note: the guy at the "4 glace"(name of rink) in Mtl was looking for the
    Sens game over the dish for over 1/2 hr. The highlight of the night
    came when he got a porno channel. I hadn't realized we were so many 
    watching the TV channels zip by so far; fwiw, the girl had a nice butt.
    
    Andy

    4 days later and I am still crying tears of joy. This makes up for the
    World Cup loss.
    
    Sniff...
    
    Sean
    

    Yashin is still an ass -  Ottawa out in 4 straight!

    The Leafs will not be doing very well in the playoffs this year.

    I guess what Garry is trying to say is that at least the Leafs didn't
    fill their fans w/ 'false hopes' of going all the way. They came out
    in October and wasted no time showing their true worth....unlike the 
    Sens.
    
    
    Andy

    No Andy, I was anticipating a cheap shot about the Leafs from all the
    fans that jumped shipped to become a Senator's fan - you know, kind of
    like the people that switch teams at the same time as Gretzky...

    Smart fans
    

    
    
    The SENS make the playoffs for the first time and I'm thinking, great
    I'll catch all the games on my country cable through CHRO or CBC.  But 
    Digital has other plans and shipped me off to the states for the playoffs. 
    So here I am with cable finally and I don't think I'll be able to watch
    any of the Sens games :(  Does anyone know if the FOX network will be
    carrying the game?  ESPN and ESPN2 won't be.
    
    Scooter
    
    Waddya mean you've never heard of Ottawa??
     

    CBC will be carrying it from Ontario to BC so any watering whole in
    North America with a dish should be able to pick it up.  They'll want
    to know which channel.  Don't know what the channel is but the satellite 
    is Anik E-2.  This should narrow down your search.
    
    Good Luck.
    
    Bernie.

    I didn't see any Sens games listed for FOX.
    
    Dave

    Bernie,
    	Is there anything that you DON'T know? :*)
    
    Andy

    I think FOX only shows Rangers games
    
    Warren

    
    Hey Scooter!
    
    	Go to a bar and ask for the game but first ........ the beer!
    
    If they have the *sattelite dish* ask them to scan the channels on
    (Anick D2) and voila! You may get lucky by having a big American
    *Chick* coming to you asking for a drink. 
    
    Tchin Tchin!
    
    		Richard
    

What was that about ESPN and ESPN2 not carrying playoff games?

I'll be in the States from 8 May for five weeks and was counting on
seeing a whole bunch of games on those channels, where the puck does
not look like an atomic nucleus surrounded by an electron cloud.

Steve

    ESPN & ESPN2 will have at least one game a night for the next 2 months
    as long as their are games.  They just won't be showing Ottawa :-)
    
    Warren

Thanks for that most welcome info, Warren.

Actually, I screwed up the timing just a bit.  If the finals go past a 4th
game, I'll miss them, because I return on 12 June.  That is not quite as
tragic as it sounds, as I'll miss many other games as well.  I hope to
see baseball games in four cities and be a bit of a tourist in my native
country.  But there will definitely be evenings in front of the tube.  Is
the final exclusively on Fox, or are they sharing with ESPN?

Steve

    
    
    Thanks for the dish info!  I went to Old Chicago's and harrassed the
    bar tender to put the CBC feed on.  I settled back with a 25oz beer in
    great anticipation.  Shock, horrors, it was the HABS!!!  Arrrgh, "please
    sir that is the wrong CBC feed could you please look for the western
    feed?"  New 25oz beer and I'm watching the Sens, yes!
    
    You gotta love happy hour(s) and and 4 playoff games on the tubes.  I
    did my best in supporting the Sens when they scored on the power play
    but I looked kinda stupid when they gave up a breakaway 25 seconds
    later.  The penalty that Cunneyworth got for giving somebody a wack
    going to the bench was pathetic and it resulted in a goal.  Ottawa
    needs to stay out of the box if they want to stand a chance. 
    Cunneyworth was also a loose cannon out there trying to run people.  He
    needs to be more disciplined and lead by example.  Yashin needs to show
    up, maybe next game.  Ottawa did have some good chances but not alot of
    sustained pressure.  In the second Buffalo owned the boards.
    
    With regard to hockey coverage on the cable down here, its been great. 
    ESPN and ESPN2, plus FOX all run hockey.  I caught the Ducks and
    Coyotes game the previous night.  Gotta love that Karriya and
    Selane(sp?) line.
    
    Scooter - deep behind enemy lines
    
    p.s.  Ben, I see your a convert to my Flyers bandwagon

    >> Yashin needs to show up, maybe next game.
    
    THANK YOU SCOOTER!!
    
    1 down - 3 to go...  

    Yashin was Ottawa's best player last night.  I know you don't like him 
    but you should at least be able to appreciate what he does right.  Just
    like I don't like Lindros and Lemieux (either one) but I still think
    that they're top notch players.
    
    Bernie.

    Bernie,
    
    I assume you're talking to me re: Yashin.  Please note - it wasn't me
    that was critical of Yashdick; it was Scooter.  I merely thanked him
    for expressing an opinion that I like to hear.  I must admit I didn't
    see the game myself.

Scooter,

If you had 10 Habs in your hockey pool you'd cheer for them. 

Ben

    
    re: Cunneyworth last night, it was a bad penalty he took, he's lucky he
    didn't get a spearing penalty, I'm not sure what he was trying to do
    with that play but it cost them dearly, not something that Cunneyworth
    usually does. Just prio to this play Buffalosers had increased the
    'physical aspect of their game' and had landed a couple of dandy hits,
    someone nearly took Yashin's head off as he was admiring his skate
    laces. I think Cunneyworth was just filling in the leadership role and
    in the abscence of any one else on the Sens to play the physical game, 
    Cunneyworth took it upon himself to send a message to Buffalo. Ottawa
    can expect Buffalo to play an increased physical game and they had
    better react better than they did last night, it threw them off their
    game plan in the later part of the 2nd period.
    
     I thought Shick called a good game last night, not that any of the
    referee-bashers in here would notice. He let them play hockey for the
    most part and he didn't check the score board before he called the
    penalties that he did. Too bad we probably won't see him again until
    the semi-finals...

    
    	While I wasn't happy with the number of two man advantages, he did
    call the penalties that he saw.  I was surprised to see the calls he
    made against Buffalo late in the game, primarily the cross-checking by
    the defence.
    
    
    Scott

    The Sens win a playoff game on the road. That is all
    you can ask for. They are not going to bow out that 
    easy. I was really impressed by the hit that Pitlick
    put on Peca. Man that was one for the highlite reel.
    I am more impressed with Pitlick every game. 
    There is one player that I am really disapointed in and
    that player is Daigle. Where is this guy, I mean he was
    out there, I seen him, then he took a hit from ? and then
    he was almost invisible out there. I mean how can this guy
    not have an impact out there if is such a great player.
    What is it, are they double teaming him like they do to
    Yashin or are they tripple teaming him, I don't think so! 
    Maybe he will step up his play when they play there first
    in Ottawa. Lets hope so, because they need a WHOLE team effort.
    
    Chris

    Daigle, who had scored only 1g in his last 14games, has not been seen
    since he got crushed a month ago by some NYR player at centre Hice.
    Something like the hit he got against the Sabres in open Hice in this
    series.
    
    Andy

    Daigle????  You mean the guy drafted ahead of Kariya?    And the guy
    that the previous management turned down a offer of Forsberg, Nolan and
    Ricci for?
    
    The Sens are waiting for him to explode but he may just explode when
    someone belts him.   I cringe evrytime he's on the ice......he sure
    shows why he was -33 this season.
    
    pete

    Andy,
    
    	You made a mistake in your 4-Glaces note... I wasn't the only Hab
    fan in the place...the girl that kept paging me all weekend long was
    also a Hab fan!!!:*))
    
   Ray.
    

    Ray, she told me she would have rather watched that porno film than the
    Habs-Philly game that night.
    
    pete

    Ray,
    
    Just for your information, CBC named your favorite player first star on 
    Saturday night.  That's right Ray,  Lance Pitlick was named first star!
    
    Bernie ;-)

    Tough loss last night.  The Sens had the opportunity to burry the
    Sabres especially when Hasek went down,  but a few missed opportunities
    followed by panic in the last minute of play....and you know the rest.
    
    Ottawa outplayed Buffalo for most of the game but they tried to get a
    little too fancy.  On one occasion, they had a three on one but didn't
    even get a shot. They hit a few posts and just couldn't get that third 
    goal.  
    
    The Sabres second goal should have been stopped by Tugnutt.  It was a
    routine shot. 
    
    I don't make many predictions, but if Hasek is not playing tomorrow,
    I predict that Ottawa will win 5-1. 
    
    Bernie.

    Bernie,
    
    	How did Lance P'lick play last nite...?!?!?:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    
    
    Good game but they lost their composure in the 3rd, nervous tension?
    
    How come the Sens didn't call a time out when it was obvious they were
    losing control of the game plan in the 3rd? Re-focus the troups etc?
    
    Daigle is a BUM, he should be selling hot dogs instead of being on the ice.
    I can't believe how chicken-sh?t that piece of trash is, if he had a
    dozen eggs in his pocket before the game, he still has a dozen.
     He's lazy as a hound and he is always (ALWAYS Bernie!) the 2nd man
    into the corner. Bench him or send him home. I can't believe he
    makes a living playing hockey, he's a disgrace to the uniform. I've
    seen better defensive plays in the KDHL.
    
    If Daigle stays off the ice, the Sens will win the next one.
    
    have nice day (except Daigle)

    RE: -1
      
      Better than York. He's having a terrible series IMHO. If they can
    ever get Bonk, Maceachern(?) and Daigle to contribute consistently
    they will win this series. They also need more out of Alfredsson who
    hasn't been the same since his injury.
    
    Dennis 

    They still haven't found anyone to fit on Yashin's line yet.   Yea,
    McEachern has speed but he can't put the puck in the ocean.  
    
    I think they should move either Zholtok or Alfreddson back onto that
    line.  
    
    Bernie, by the way.....Peca's was lying on his back during the winning
    goal....with BOTH feet in the crease!
    
    pete 

    Yashin had a great game.  He's a powerful player with a unique style.
    
    The Sabres must really feel they almost literally "dodged a bullet." 
    
    Amazing ending.  It did look like the 2nd goal was deflected off the
    defenceman's stick, but I thought Tugnutt should have had it anyway,
    from that angle.  On the last goal, the Sens really did blow the defensive
    coverage -- "panic" I guess, as others have said.
    
    The Sabres look like a very beatable team, esp. without Hasek.
    
    It looks like whichever team can score 3 goals in a game will win, in
    this series.  Maybe that will change with Hasek gone.
    
    -Stephen

    What happened on the last goal ? Was there not a 
    Sabre player lying in the crease when Ward shot 
    the puck in? Did they even go upstairs on that
    goal? 
    
    
    Chris

    On the last goal, the only person I saw lying in the net was Tuggett.
    No other Buffalol (or Ottawa!) players were a factor...
    

    Who's Tuggett ? :)
    
    

    > Who's Tuggett ? :)
    
    Obviously it's Tugnutt
    
    Warren
    
    P.S.  And Wipe that philthy grin oph your phace

    >> re: .351
    
    Chris, no they didn't got to replay on Buffalo's winning goal in game
    three and yes there was a player in the crease.  Actually, we was on
    his ass but this legs and TOES were in the crease.  Ancient history now
    anyways.
    
    Great game last night.  Tugnutt recorded his third shoutout in his
    last six games against the Sabres.  He's let in a total of 7 goals 
    in those six games.   Sabres rookie Steve Shields also played very
    well as the Senators outshot the Sabres 37-18. 
    
    Can you believe the screw up on a goal scored by Ottawa that they never
    counted?  The goal judge didn't see it, the referee didn't see it and
    the video replay equipment failed!!!  But CBC had it on replay and the
    puck was clearly in the net.  What a mess!  Funny thing is I walked by
    Bettman between the second and third period and I swear that I almost 
    yelled at him "Hey Garry, get that video replay thing fixed up"
    thinking about the "toe in the crease issue".  
    
    Bernie.
    

    Bernie,
    	Bettman was interviewed between periods and was bragging about how
    great video replay was and that it never failed. 
    
    Andy

    Well I guess he's eating crow today!
    
    I saw bits of a post game press conference and he seemed impatient.
    I guess it's a bummer when you find yourself with egg in your face.
    You would know Andy! What's it like ;-)
    
    Bernie.

    
        the video judges were back-peddling on that play. They said the
    feed failed them for about 10 seconds. I don't think so Al...
    
        good thing Sens got the overtime win and the disputed goal was not
    a factor.
    
        That ref was lousy last night! He put his whistle away around the
    10 minute mark in the 3rd and only called  a single attempted murder
    after that. At least he was consistent (bad to both sides). The CBC
    crew made a sad statement about it to the effect "if a ref is going
    to let everything go, you take advantage of it and cheat..."
    
        How come Ottawa shot right at Shields body so often? Is his weak
    spot his stomach? They outshot Bullalosers a ton...
    
     Daigle is a bum (still)

    
    Shields is a big boy... covers alot of the net.
    Pretty hard to get one that won't hit him.
    
    
    Funny how they will call a time out for a little toe in
    the crease but they didn't call the time out for a
    puck crossing the goal line!
    
    
    Chris

    I guess Mr. MacGoo (the ref) was waiting for the replay guys to hit the
    buzzer to signal a goal. Still though, why didn't the replay guys call
    down and get the attention of the ref. I this would have happened in NY
    or Col., you can bet there would have been a stoppage in play. Bettman
    is sure lucky the Sens won.
            
    Sean

    
    read something this am that they now have a policy that if the video
    equipment breaks, they will signal the ref and not re-start the game
    until they have checked with the television stations to see if they can
    get a picture. That's load off of my mind.
    

    Well, tonight's game is the biggest in franchise history...again!
    
    This game will be more physical than the previous games but I expect
    Ottawa to win.  I think that Shields played over his head on Wednesday.
    The Senators have outplayed the Sabres in three of the four games and I
    think that they will do the same tonight.
    
    Bernie.

    In typical Sabres fashion, the Sabres will be uniting Barnaby with May
    and Rob Ray tonite. Actually, they'll probably start the game for them.
    Barnaby, for one, has been very vocal lately, saying amoungst other
    things that the Sens better keep their heads up tonite...If I was
    Martin, I'd tell one of my players to lay a good clean hard bodycheck
    on Barnaby the very first shift just to show they don't plan on being
    intimidated at all tonite.
    
    I hope the Sens win......but I'm still a Hab fan Leury!!!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    
    >>If I was    Martin, I'd tell one of my players to lay a good clean hard
    >>bodycheck on Barnaby the very first shift just to show they don't plan
    >>on being intimidated at all tonite.
    
    Ray,
    
    Look for our budy Lance to deliver that hit tonight :-)
    
    Bernie.
    
    P.S.  By the way, once your beloved Canadiens are eliminated tomorrow
    night you are most welcome to jump on out bandwagon.

    
    there is special section, at the back, for ex-Hab fans.
    

    and under for ex-Leaf fans

    this team is winning my affection, but my heart will always belong to
    the Canadiens.
    
    Martin should get coach of the year.

    re -.1
    	Or you trying to tell us you're gay? :*)
    
    
    Andy

    hmmmmm. perhaps there's something about myself that I haven't
    discovered if I'm broadcasting that message in what I thought was an
    innocuous statement.

    
    seek and ye shall find
    
    we give free counselling and its worth every cent. ie Your previous
    message suggests uncertainty, maybe a lack of confidence in your game?
    Using the word "perhaps" is something Daigle would do, maybe ask for more
    money to bring your spirits up?
    
    I would offer more but I have to go look up "innocuous" in a medical
    dictionary, it certainly isn't a hockey term...
    
    watch your back, lift with the knees.

    speaking of hockey terms, when did pinching become a hockey term? And
    what the hell does it mean? Or is this more veiled gay banter?

    And where exactly is the "five" hole

    filthaaa.

    Sens lose to the Sabres 3-2, and also lose the series 4-3. Heart
    breaking series, it could have went either way. I was impressed with
    the playoff run, and next year should be even better (less Daigle and
    Bonk = Bums). Well fellow Senator fans, adios and see you in the
    spring.
    
    Sean
    

    this is the spring.
    
    hope this helps.

    Sure, hit me when I am feeling low.
    
    SEE YOU IN THE FALL! AND NEXT SPRING FOR THE 98' PLAYOFFS!
    
    Good enough for yah Nit?
    
    
    Sean

    Tough break for Ottawa, after watching them trounce
    Buffalo in the first I thought this team was a easy
    advancer.
    That was just plain bad luck when Yashin won the draw
    right into his own net. Tugnutt was not ready for that
    one. But them are the breaks, and Senator fans have alot
    of playoff runs ahead. So be proud of this team.
    I really think Ottawa deserved to advance more than Buffalo.
    But I know Buffalo is in for trouble if they think they have
    any kind of a chance against Philly !! Thay will fix'em.
    
    Chris

    Ottawa lossed the game and series last nite, but won the admiration of
    a lot of hockey fans in the process (myself excluded, Bernie!!:*))).
    
    Great work by Jacques Martin and Pierre Gauthier to bring credibility,
    stability and competitiveness to the organization. This is an up and
    coming team, and w/ a solid defense starring Lance Pitlick (!!), this
    team will only get better and better. Just imagine if Bonk and Daigle
    had blossemed (sp) the way they were expected to when they were drafted
    in the 1st round...Even with these two "Wickenheiser" types, the Sens
    almost pulled out a big first round upset...
    
    Ray.
    

    Congrats to the SENS, they played above everyone's
    expectations.  They spoke, they delivered.
    With the fixings of some technological components, maybe, just
    maybe the SENS will not be robbed next year of well deserved goals.
    A powerful defencemen is coming into this organization next year,
    so in that, say Buh-Bye to Daigle,Bonk,laukanen and hello
    Philips,Neckar and Hill.
    I hope Redden puts on some beef on the off season, Yashin learns
    what the word pass means and Alfie boy gets the contract he so 
    wells deserves...
    Rik...

    What was Yashin thinking when he won that draw. You NEVER try to
    draw to your backhand towards the goalie. What was he thinking????
    
    
    
    Didn't see the game, just the highlites on TSN.
    
    Andy

    I don't think he was trying to draw it
    to the goalie, it just happened that way.
    The puck bounces weird at times bud.
    
    I believe Yashin had 2 assists lastnight,
    so I think he knows how to pass. I have
    seen Yashin set up so many nice goals this
    season. I guess Yashin got a goal as well
    lastnight if you count that one off the draw:(
    
    
    Chris

    Andy,
    
    There's all kinds of players you can blame for last night -
    
    Yashin - a fluke goal into his own net - he had a chance in OT (if only
    he shot it a bit higher)
    
    Daigle - he should learn from Edmonton's Todd Marchant how to score on
    a breakaway.....$3,000,000 for this?
    
    Duschense - he turned the puck over and then partially screened Tugnutt
    for the winner.
    
    Tugnutt - He wasn't really ready for the 2nd goal.  CNN reported that
    his laces broke on the winner.  Greg Milen figures it was because the
    end of his trapper was soft due to all the sweat.
    
    Bonk - had a good chance in the 1st but tried to blast it thru Shields. 
    He had a point blank chance in the 2nd but shot it just wide.
    
    York - He hammered Audette into the net for the 1st goal...if he was 
    in position, he could have muscled him away from the net.
    
    The ones I really blame for last night's loss is Gardiner.....followed
    closely by MacEachern.  They showed no discipline! With the score 1-0 Sens,
    Gardiner takes a stupid penalty when he hits a Sabre from behind into the 
    net...the play was over on the other side.  The Sabres scored on the PP 
    and all of a sudden they played like a different team.   
    MacEachern took an even stupider penalty when he grabs the back of
    Barnaby's sweater and pulls him down as they skate OUT across Ottawa's 
    blue line....right in front of the ref.  Barnaby didn't even have the
    puck.  This just helped the Sabres get more momentum and they stayed in
    the Sens end during the entire PP.  The Sens finally managed to get a 
    faceoff just as the penalty ended.....this was the faceoff that Yashin
    "won" into his own net. 
    
    There were also a couple of 2 on 1's when each of these guys had the
    puck and went wide....the other player was wide open breaking to the net
    but these guys tried to slip a soft pass across that had no hope in
    hell of getting past the defender.....Pass it Harder!!!!  It's not Atom
    Hockey!!!      
    
    pete 
    
    (Now I have to stay up late and watch games from the West coast!)

    >>>I don't think he was trying to draw it
    >>>to the goalie, it just happened that way.
    
    I don't think he was either. Point is; You NEVER should draw on your
    backhand in that situation UNLESS you're sure you'll put it between
    your legs. Most, if not all, centremen would've blocked the opponents
    centre's stick, move in, then kick it in the corner. Check Messier
    out, you'll see.
    
    Andy

    O.K coach... whatever!
    
    It is very unfortunate:(
    
    
    Chris
    

    In no way,shape or form can you blame Yashin for his unfortunate
    goal into his own net.
    The puck was dropped, puck bounced, hit a stick, flew in the air,
    Yashin brought his stick up, to ( I believe ) swat it away from the
    goal.
    You see, as he was winding for the clearing of the puck, as his stick
    drew back, he accidentaly hit the puck. simple.
    I am by no means, a greta fan of Yashin's however; I can see
    the play he wanted to make, it was unfortunate, but these things
    happen in hockey.
    
    Good luck to Edmonton!!!
    Rik...

    Question:
    You gals/guys think that the BUDDHA....will be around next year?
    the last few weeks, the fans here were really into it, after all
    if and when the SENS lose a game next year, we could blame it on
    Buddha!
    Rik...

    
    I don't think Yashin or Tuggett were ready for that face-off, the
    linesman may have dropped the puck a bit early I thought but neither
    one of them made a fuss so I won't.
    
    Plante(sp?) who was credited with the goal was still looking for the
    puck when they announced the goal.
    
    I predict Buffalo in 7 under the Andy Rule.
    
    have a great spring and fall, onto other things, FORE.
    
    brian (daigle is still a bum)

    >>I predict Buffalo in 7 under the Andy Rule.
    
    	What's the Andy Rule? Or did you mean to write "Andy Rules"!
    
    
    Andy

    The Senators have to consider this season a success. To emerge from
    the mess that they were in is a major accomplishment.  As Steve
    Duchesne said after last night's game, this was the first playoff
    appearance of many to come for the team.  Other teams will no longer laugh
    at the Ottawa Senators.
    
    This team is close to becoming a force in the NHL.  They have 12 NHL
    caliber defensemen and have some tough decisions ahead of them in that
    regard. They have a decent goaltending duo.  Finally they have a good 
    nucleus of forwards with Alfredsson, Yashin, Dackell, Gardiner, Zoltock
    and McEachern. 
    
    The Senators still need to find a consistent goal scorer and they might
    be able acquire one by moving one or two defensemen.  The Sens will
    have to make decisions around Bonk and Daigle.  
    
    Bonk was a big disappointment.  He started the season well but didn't 
    seem to recover from the broken wrist.  But, he's only 21.  Do you give
    him one more year or do you move him?  He must improve his skating.
    
    Daigle had good streches but he finished the season poorly.  There's
    been a lot of talk about his plus/minus.  In his defense, he played
    right wing for the first time in his career.  He's also a left shot
    which makes it difficult to play right wing. He's always on his
    backhand against the boards and is vulnerable to getting hit.  I would
    like to see him back at centre.  
    
    Next year should be fun and the future looks bright.
    
    Bernie.

    
    I saw *MOST* of this game and paid particular attention
    to Daigle. He IMO  seems to be the fastest skater on the
    Sens. I think he's getting a bum rap because he makes so
    much $$$  that's not his fault.  I can see him maturing into
    a really good player (i.e. not a superstar)
    
    congrats to the Sens on a successful season I really wish they would've
    won. as Bernie said other teams won't be laughing at them anymore.
    
    
    
    Toby

    Yashdick's a bum...
    
    He's now making much $ as Daigke and did basically nothing in the
    playoffs - how many goals did he get?

    > He's now making as much $ as Daigke abd did basically nothing
    in the playoffs.
    
    
    You obviously didn't watch the Sens playoff series.
    Yashin contributed alot for his team.
    
    >Daigle gets bad rap because of the money he makes
    
    Put the money to the side and don't think about it...
    He will still suck, he will still be -36 or whatever it was
    for the regular season, he will still be -6 for the playoff
    series with Buffalo when there was only 14 goals in the series
    against, he still scared to go in a corner, scared to get hit, 
    still was pointless in his last what; 18 games etc etc ...
    
    He gets a bad rap cause he sucks!
    Sorry to say it; but its true.
    
    
    Chris

    RE: .391
    
    Let's see, Yashin was named one of the stars in five or six of the seven 
    games.  I guess he "did basically nothing" as you say.  ???
    
    Get with it Garry.
    
    Bernie.

    
    Daigle may be the fastest skater on the planet, this is not the Ice
    Capades. He has little defense skills (coaching problem?) which leaves
    his offense skills and he is in a Guy Lafleur calibre of slump for the
    past few months. Trade him while we can still get something for him (ie
    this summer). Don't throw any more good money after bad, he will never
    amount to a 3 million franchise player that Ottawa needs. Trade him to
    Calgary just so Gary can watch him...
    
    Bonk I am willing to give some more time to develop, he still has
    pimples(!) and maybe that wrist injury did throw him off.
    

    
    When will Martin get officially nominated for Coach of the Year?
    

    Right after Ted Nolan is given the award.
    
    
    Andy

    I'll be satisfied when Yashin is out of the league, or he makes a very
    public apology and fires his agent for the way they behaved over his
    contract.
    
    He may be the best player on the Sens, but he's not in the league of a
    Gretzky, Messier, Lemeiux or even Lindros who can dominate a game AND
    get the guys around him to deliver.  Sens have wasted so much time
    trying to find someone to play with poor Alexi.
    
    I believe Alfreddson is really the best player on the Sens and their
    future leader.
    
    Yashin's still an ass and is falling into the ranks of "russians that
    didn't produce in the playoffs"
    
          

    Come on lad, Yashins not that bad.
    I belive the guy is not producing (points) as much as he should have.
    Points are not the only calibar by which ones productivity is based.
    If he was so bad, why, at many times was he double covered?
    This opened up a free point man. 
    He adds to the team this year by being put out of the main play.
    Yashin will come around, he has shown improvement, Daigle on the other
    hand is too inconsistent.
    Once we have tougher wingers, you'll see Yashin get more points.
    Pitlick amazed me with his checks throughout the series, wait for him
    to play with mainly the top line next year, Yashin being on it.
    I say trade Daigle (teams want him) 
    Have Alfie as Captain, Yashin(A) Cunneyworth(A).
    Rik...

    re:-1 agree except the last line, I think Cunneyworth is a fine
    captain. He shows a good example and has the wisdom of age (like a lot
    of us in here?). As long as he is there he can keep the "C" and
    Alfredson can learn how its done.
    
    my .02

    I agree with you Brian. 
    You don't take the C off your captain especially when he's done such a
    commendable job.   And people should not forget Duchesne and the
    contribution that he made.  He showed leadership all year long. 
    It started with the fight he had early in the season when someone took a 
    run at Alfredsson to the playoff clinching goal in game 82.  
    
    I'm glad that Martin did not give Yashin an A this year.  He needed to
    earn it after some of the comments that he previously made.  But he's 
    earned it now.  He showed leadership and courage in the stretch and in
    the playoffs.
    
    Bernie.

    
    and besides a captain has to know the rulebook so he can carry out
    civilized, mature, informed discussions with the officials about the
    interpretation and application of said rule book...
    

    RE. -1
    
    	Yash will get his agent Gandler (?) to do the talking on the ice
    for him.... I can see it, 'My client will not proceed with the proposed
    faceoff until the previous altercation is reversed, although the
    infraction is written, we do not abide by it... blah blah blah..."
    
    S
    

    Cunneyworth said earlier in the season that he would gladly
    give up the "C" if the decision was so.
    I too, believe he should still carry it.
    Without him , the SENS would not have made it to the Playoffs,
    guaranteed.
    He knows there will be a change next year, if Alfie doesn't get the 
    "C" he'll surely get the "A" along with Yashin.
    If them three are not wearing the leadership marks I'll be very
    surprised.
    p.s. i'm glad the Sabres are taking a beating......
    Rik...