The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Ouch.

I didn't think another pounding was coming tonight. With the Battle of Ontario rivalry re-ignited after Tuesday's night shenanigans, I expected a tight, low-scoring affair with maybe a quick fight at the beginning to get things started. And I was completely off the mark.

It just seemed every weakness the Leafs have was exploited. I think the 1st goal summed up the state of the Maple Leafs performance in spades: After an Antoine Vermette shot missed the goal, it deflected off of Ian White's skate, who then did a 360 turn trying to figure out where the puck was, and that allowed Mike Fisher to whack the puck into the open net and get the goal. White, like Toronto, didn't know what hit them. The certainly did make things interesting making it 3-2 at one point in the second period, but the floodgates opened and they couldn't shut it down.

The Maple Leafs were the toast of their hometown after spanking the Senators 6-0 in the 2nd game of the season. But amazing how just three weeks can change everything. The Senators are now looking like one of the top dogs of the Eastern conference, while the Leafs are slipping to mediocrity, and worries about making the post-season will be discussed amongst their fans at the water cooler Friday morning.

On Ottawa's side, Joe Corvo looked like Muckler's best free agent signing since the start of his tenure as Senators' GM. Setting a record with most points by a Sens defenceman in a game with five, he's looking like the best defenceman Ottawa has. It's only been a handful games for Corvo, but he's been dynamite highlighted by his wicked shot from the point. On the other hand, Wade Redden is having the slowest start of his career after signing his 2-year, $13 million deal. He's the highest paid player on the team, and in my books if you're the best paid you better be the best player. There's still plenty of time to turn things around but he's on SBP's radar to turn it up a notch.

Anyway, for Sens fans like myself, this win felt great. Not just because of the high score, but the intensity and emotion they showed to their fans. Although no one dropped the gloves against Darcy Tucker, the team still gave the fans what they wanted with Neil yapping at Darcy to get it on, Phillips nailing him with a check that made Tucker's mouth bounce off the edge of the boards, and then it was topped with a big open-ice hit by Anton Volchenkov. Ottawa's #1 enemy was getting what Sens fans felt he deserved and loved every minute of it. Then Spezza showed why he is Ottawa's #1 centre racking up 5 points and Dany Heatley displaying his scoring touch getting the hat trick. Everything was going perfectly.

Now please...play this way in the Spring.