Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Reversal of Fortune
Look at this...The Senators win back to back games. One by a score of 8-1, the next against their top rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2. Is this luck? Are these games not really indicative of the talent level of the Sens? I'm asking this to every Sens "fan" who declared the Senators would not make the playoffs, and that they would have to trade the likes of Jason Spezza & Daniel Alfredsson and start all over.
I'm not expecting Ottawa to win by 7 & 4 goal margins each time out, and at the same time I don't think Ottawa will finish #1 in the NHL (I figure a 4th or 5th place finish by the end of the season). But I do expect Ottawa will win consistently and make the post-season. And as the last few years have proven, all you have to do is make the dance and anything can happen. And they will do that.
As for tonight's Leafs game, there were two things that stood out in my mind that just reinforce my reasons for hating the Leafs: Darcy Tucker's charge on Patrick Eaves to force him into a fight. Everyone knows Eaves is NOT a fighter and that just reeks of cowardice. At least Wade Belak had the guts to fight Ottawa's tough guy Brian McGrattan; that's what they're paid to do. This was followed shortly afterwards by Chad Kilger's spear to the groin of Christoph Schubert. No question Schubert did trip Kilger prior to that, but he didn't commit an act that was intended to deliberately injure. I hope he gets a suspension for that action.
Positives: I'm loving the Antoine Vermette-Mike Fisher-Chris Neil line. They are creating tons of energy & chances and getting those lunchpail goals the rest of the team can feed off of. Chris Neil especially has been throwing lots of hits and making nice plays. I can't picture this line being broken up anytime soon.
The 2nd Leafs goal was definitely soft but Martin Gerber still had to stop 37 shots on net to get the win. There is no clear #1 for the Sens' goaltending right now, but it looks like Bryan Murray is ignoring the salary paid and will go with the better goalie, which is the right move. Ray Emery pushing the #1 spot should make Gerber play better.
Next game should be tons of fun. I'm sure the Leafs will want to make amends for the loss and will play hard: Bad blood left over from the fights and penalties will definitely spill over.
# posted by SBP : 11:01 PM
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Is this the part where I defend Tucker? No? Good, because I *am* a Leafs fan and hated seeing it as well.
Apparently, Eaves doesn't fight because of a concussion suffered early in his career and he's apprehensive about reinjuring himself. Nobody should *have* to fight if they don't want to, and it was pretty sad to see Tucker pull out the tricks to get things going.
I'm sure he was just trying to get the team motivated, create a spark, etc... but I, like Rob, was hoping that Tucker in particular and the team in general had changed that mentality.
Hopefully Maurice will put an end to that kind of behaviour, and get his "grit" guys to play more like Mike Fisher and less like Mike Tyson.
PS - Is it wrong that I wanted Belak to break his hand fighting McGratton?
Apparently, Eaves doesn't fight because of a concussion suffered early in his career and he's apprehensive about reinjuring himself. Nobody should *have* to fight if they don't want to, and it was pretty sad to see Tucker pull out the tricks to get things going.
I'm sure he was just trying to get the team motivated, create a spark, etc... but I, like Rob, was hoping that Tucker in particular and the team in general had changed that mentality.
Hopefully Maurice will put an end to that kind of behaviour, and get his "grit" guys to play more like Mike Fisher and less like Mike Tyson.
PS - Is it wrong that I wanted Belak to break his hand fighting McGratton?
# posted by 
: 8:48 AM, October 25, 2006
: 8:48 AM, October 25, 2006
The Tucker fight was weak. With his improved offensive prowess the past couple of years I sort of thought he'd outgrown his twelve year old bully tactics and tantrums.
I should have known better though that most rabbits will inevitably return to old Trix.
Does this mean Neil is gonna beat up Wellwood on Thursday? I hope not. But, it should make for some compelling hockey.
Just wanted to finally give a shout out to Hal Gill who was torched repeatedly last night. Apparently, Ferguson was watching the 'new' NHL at Bob Clarke's place b/c Gill is as immobile and unskilled as Derian Hatcher.
Bad, bad, bad, signing.
I should have known better though that most rabbits will inevitably return to old Trix.
Does this mean Neil is gonna beat up Wellwood on Thursday? I hope not. But, it should make for some compelling hockey.
Just wanted to finally give a shout out to Hal Gill who was torched repeatedly last night. Apparently, Ferguson was watching the 'new' NHL at Bob Clarke's place b/c Gill is as immobile and unskilled as Derian Hatcher.
Bad, bad, bad, signing.
# posted by : 9:44 AM, October 25, 2006
: 9:44 AM, October 25, 2006
Boo hoo. Some Sens player got jumped.
If there's anything more annoying than Sens Fan jumping off the bandwagon, it's Sens Fan complaining about the Leafs and especially Darcy Tucker.
First off, Tucker isn't just off the turnip truck. He's a 12 year pro. So....maybe it's time we accept that no one will be making him eat his lunch. Funny that Ken Hitchcock would use a food analogy....And much like many of the players who have whined about Darcy in the past, Tucker has outlived Hitch.
Complain away about Darcy Tucker. I won't mention the crap about how you'd love him on your team and Ben, I know you would. You've said it before. But Darcy Tucker is not unique. There are quite a few little bastards like him.
And to say there was no need for his actions...is a little shortsighted. There would be NO rivalry between Ottawa and Toronto without Darcy Tucker. The guy has singlehandedly kept these mostly meaningless games interesting. If not for Tucker, who would you hate? Why would you even care? If not for Tucker, we'd just be yawning about another of the 8 billion Sens-Leafs matchups slated for this season. Tie Domi and Darcy Tucker made this rivalry what it is. Just keep that in mind.
And frankly, I have never seen Darcy Tucker do anything as bad as Todd Bertuzzi did and yet Bert is still adored by people reading this blog. Hypocrites.
And Stan, don't get all moral on me. You 'hated' seeing it as well? No, you hated seeing the Leafs getting spanked. And if Patrick Eaves has a history of concussions, that's a matter for Patrick Eaves, not the Leafs. If Eaves is that 'apprehensive' about getting hurt, he might want to consider another line of work.
And to mention that you'd hoped Tucker would play more like Mike Fisher...Well, if Darcy is a disappointment to you, then it sounds like he's playing EXACTLY like Mike Fisher.
If there's anything more annoying than Sens Fan jumping off the bandwagon, it's Sens Fan complaining about the Leafs and especially Darcy Tucker.
First off, Tucker isn't just off the turnip truck. He's a 12 year pro. So....maybe it's time we accept that no one will be making him eat his lunch. Funny that Ken Hitchcock would use a food analogy....And much like many of the players who have whined about Darcy in the past, Tucker has outlived Hitch.
Complain away about Darcy Tucker. I won't mention the crap about how you'd love him on your team and Ben, I know you would. You've said it before. But Darcy Tucker is not unique. There are quite a few little bastards like him.
And to say there was no need for his actions...is a little shortsighted. There would be NO rivalry between Ottawa and Toronto without Darcy Tucker. The guy has singlehandedly kept these mostly meaningless games interesting. If not for Tucker, who would you hate? Why would you even care? If not for Tucker, we'd just be yawning about another of the 8 billion Sens-Leafs matchups slated for this season. Tie Domi and Darcy Tucker made this rivalry what it is. Just keep that in mind.
And frankly, I have never seen Darcy Tucker do anything as bad as Todd Bertuzzi did and yet Bert is still adored by people reading this blog. Hypocrites.
And Stan, don't get all moral on me. You 'hated' seeing it as well? No, you hated seeing the Leafs getting spanked. And if Patrick Eaves has a history of concussions, that's a matter for Patrick Eaves, not the Leafs. If Eaves is that 'apprehensive' about getting hurt, he might want to consider another line of work.
And to mention that you'd hoped Tucker would play more like Mike Fisher...Well, if Darcy is a disappointment to you, then it sounds like he's playing EXACTLY like Mike Fisher.
# posted by : 11:49 AM, October 25, 2006
: 11:49 AM, October 25, 2006
I think it's bad for hockey for anyone to act like that, I couldn't care less if they wear a Leafs uniform.
Just because I'm a fan of the team, it doesn't mean I automatically defend everything they do. That'd be crazy.
And what's with that Eaves comment about finding a new line of work? You're basically saying that if he's going to dress like that, he should expect a little date rape.
Don't get all moral on you? Now you're just being an ass.
Don't think we didn't notice that at no time did you actually defend Tucker's actions. Now that I think about it, the comments weren't there to spark discourse or provide a counter-point to the discussion, rather it looks like they were written solely to "stir it up".
You're the blogging equivalent of Tucker.
Just because I'm a fan of the team, it doesn't mean I automatically defend everything they do. That'd be crazy.
And what's with that Eaves comment about finding a new line of work? You're basically saying that if he's going to dress like that, he should expect a little date rape.
Don't get all moral on you? Now you're just being an ass.
Don't think we didn't notice that at no time did you actually defend Tucker's actions. Now that I think about it, the comments weren't there to spark discourse or provide a counter-point to the discussion, rather it looks like they were written solely to "stir it up".
You're the blogging equivalent of Tucker.
# posted by : 8:22 AM, October 26, 2006
: 8:22 AM, October 26, 2006
Actually, I wouldn't want Tucker on my team, just because of the circus he brings to the rink night in and night out. It's embarrassing for his teammates and their fans who have any level of respect. When Havlat was kicking a couple of players, I thought that was smear on the Sens' jersey and wasn't too pleased about it, because even though you're a fan you still can't defend those actions.
I might be a bit hard on the Leafs, but there are a lot of players there I do like: Sundin, Wellwood and Peca for instance. Unfortunately, Tucker and Domi (prior to his retirement) seem to take centre stage with their idiocy.
I might be a bit hard on the Leafs, but there are a lot of players there I do like: Sundin, Wellwood and Peca for instance. Unfortunately, Tucker and Domi (prior to his retirement) seem to take centre stage with their idiocy.
Stan,
Eaves should find another line of work. If he is worried about his physical health, why would he stay in such a physically dangerous line of work?
---
What Tucker did was dirty.
What Kilger did was retaliation. Something he probably regrets now and something that can happen to any player on any team.
Hopefully Toronto will redeem themselves tonight by upsetting the hometown 6-0 again :)
Eaves should find another line of work. If he is worried about his physical health, why would he stay in such a physically dangerous line of work?
---
What Tucker did was dirty.
What Kilger did was retaliation. Something he probably regrets now and something that can happen to any player on any team.
Hopefully Toronto will redeem themselves tonight by upsetting the hometown 6-0 again :)
# posted by : 1:20 PM, October 26, 2006
: 1:20 PM, October 26, 2006
Um, because he's good at it? And should be able to compete while limiting his exposure to unnecesary fights? He's not saying he can't check and be checked, he's saying he wants to play as safe as possible. I think that's commendable, not a cause for finding a different line of work.
# posted by : 2:06 PM, October 26, 2006
: 2:06 PM, October 26, 2006
Stan,
If Eaves is healthy enough to play hockey, then he's fair game. I'm not saying he has to fight, but he should be aware of the fact that these things happen. It would be unfortunate for him not to be able to play but...tell that to Brett Lindros. All I'm saying is if his concussion history is that severe, he should not be playing. And if that is not the case, tehn it shouldn't be used in articles chastizing Darcy Tucker. Are the coaches supposed to sit down befoer every game and go over with their team who they can and can not hit?
And of course I was stirring the pot. Who the hell cares about Darcy Tucker? I was just pointing out that he's a huge part of this rivalry and it would not be the same without him.
If Eaves is healthy enough to play hockey, then he's fair game. I'm not saying he has to fight, but he should be aware of the fact that these things happen. It would be unfortunate for him not to be able to play but...tell that to Brett Lindros. All I'm saying is if his concussion history is that severe, he should not be playing. And if that is not the case, tehn it shouldn't be used in articles chastizing Darcy Tucker. Are the coaches supposed to sit down befoer every game and go over with their team who they can and can not hit?
And of course I was stirring the pot. Who the hell cares about Darcy Tucker? I was just pointing out that he's a huge part of this rivalry and it would not be the same without him.
# posted by : 3:01 PM, October 26, 2006
: 3:01 PM, October 26, 2006
Who the hell cares about Tucker is right...
Go Bertuzzi hostie!!
Go Bertuzzi hostie!!
# posted by : 3:14 PM, October 26, 2006
: 3:14 PM, October 26, 2006
I think the point is that he doesn't *want* his concussion history to grow or become severe, hence avoiding stuff like that as much as possible while doing the job he's paid to do. I don't see anything wrong with that.
You touched on something though: I was hoping the Leafs new coaching staff would sit down before the season started and go over with their team *what kind of hits they feel are acceptable*
Yawn. I'm bored now.
Go Leafs Go!
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You touched on something though: I was hoping the Leafs new coaching staff would sit down before the season started and go over with their team *what kind of hits they feel are acceptable*
Yawn. I'm bored now.
Go Leafs Go!
# posted by : 3:32 PM, October 26, 2006
: 3:32 PM, October 26, 2006Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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