Author Archive

« Older Entries

A fifth open letter to Marian Hossa

February 4th, 2010

Dear Mr. Hossa,

Wow. Long time eh? Well, not so much for you. But it’s been awhile for me. I mean, you still haven’t responded to any of my four letters that I wrote to you. You know the ones. The first one when I introduced you to the hockey gods, the second one when I told you to sign with Ottawa, the third when I questioned your decision to sign with Chicago, and the fourth when I informed you that you had essentially cursed Chicago from winning the Stanley Cup.

Anyways, as I said, I feel like we’ve sort of lost touch. I mean, you were out of the lineup for awhile there after that whole surgery thing. And now, with you in the Western Conference for a second season (and 12 friggin more seasons), I really don’t have the patience to stay up and watch your games. But, from what Burgundy tells me, your team is doing pretty good.

The reason for this letter though is to talk to you a bit about the Olympics. From what I gather, you’re going to be playing again. And while this may seem like a bit of a backward request for a number of reasons, can you please keep an eye on Patrick Kane?

First of all, he’s heading to Vancouver, which, as you may or may not know, has some pretty loose morals when it comes to inhibition inhibitors. I’m not sure what kind of effect this might have on the American Hockey Team, but it can’t be good. Now I’m not saying that I want the U.S. Hockey Team to do well, but it would be at least entertaining to watch them play Canada in the Gold Medal Game again (Lord knows I don’t want to play Russia or Sweden). I thought that since Slovakia probably won’t make it that far, you could at least keep Kane out of trouble. I speak to this more as a fan of hockey than a fan of the U.S. team. You understand right?

That brings me to my second point. I really don’t think the Olympics needs any bad press in Vancouver. I’m really hopeful that this is going to be a great Games for Vancouver, and more importantly, for Canada. Have you heard of Cindy Klassen? Don’t worry. You will. Bottom line, I’d rather the news be focused on how great Canada is, rather than the crazy adventures of the American Hockey team.

Anyways, I really hope you have a chance to enjoy Vancouver. This is your second Olympic appearance if memory serves me correctly, so take your time out there and enjoy the experience.

If you need anything from me in the meantime, I’d be more than happy to sit down and talk.

Best regards and remember to stay classy out there,

Tambland

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

1 comment »

Posted in NHL Commentary, NHL Humor

Tags:

Headshots, and how to deal with them

February 3rd, 2010

If there is one term in hockey right now that is beaten to death, it’s “headshots.”

Even yesterday, without any recent provocation (Patrice Cormier notwithstanding), Sun Media printed an article on the topic, declaring that Canadians want to see headshots eliminated from the game of hockey. The only anomaly that they didn’t mention is that both metropolises of Ottawa and Edmonton voted overwhelmingly in favour of headshots being exclusively dealt to Dany Heatley.

With no solution in sight, I thought it might be prudent to make a few suggestions on what the NHL can do to eliminate headshots from the game.

  • Have Marty McSorley negotiate all future contracts for the NHLPA. The direct economic impact of his negotiating skills would create fear about potential brain damage.
  • At all NHL training camps, incorporate the new Chris Pronger Obstacle course. At the end of the course, have Chris Pronger get sacked by successful players. He may never elbow again. Or never ask to be traded for undisclosed reasons.
  • Have all helmets fitted with chaff release based on a proximity sensor located in players’ pads. When an approaching elbow or shoulder gets too close to the helmet, chaff is released, blinding the opposing player.
  • Offending players will be forced to gently stroke Alex Ovechkin’s sticks all day until they are warm, but not too hot to handle. While this may reduce scoring, the YouTube videos will be punishment enough.
  • Initiate simple retrofits to hockey helmets, featuring Viking thorns and German WWI spikes.
  • A player caught in the act of a headshot shall change his name to ‘Downie’, wear the number ’9′, and play every game against Matt Carkner, where he will be Carkner-fied.
  • Have the offending player traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where their truculence will be initially welcomed until they realize they’re playing for Toronto.
  • Un-retire Bobby Clarke, and have him break ankles after each headshot.

Stay classy, unsolved NHL headshots.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 9.0/10 (2 votes cast)

3 comments »

Posted in NHL Humor

Tags:

Kick out the Worst Rule in the NHL

January 26th, 2010

After the lockout, the NHL made great strides in improving the game. New rule changes, like the elimination of two line passing, made the game faster, and much more entertaining. It would be pretty easy to argue that this is some of the best hockey over the last 20 years in the NHL.

And while the league has significantly improved its product, there is still one rule that grinds my gears. Why can’t a player kick the puck into the net?

Now, keep in mind that as a fan, I love when an opposition goal is called back because of this rule. But let me highlight a few reasons why this is one of the most dated and backwards rule that the league has.

1.  Skill

I’m not a great hockey player, and nor will I ever pretend to be. My defensive play is laughable, and I have hands like cinder blocks. So I for one can appreciate skillful players. So to actually be able to kick a puck into the net is a pretty impressive feet. A lot of those pucks are the results of pretty fast plays; anybody who has the wherewithal to actually kick that puck, frankly deserves a goal.

2.  Entertainment Value

Ask any number of European players what they would be if they didn’t play hockey, and football/soccer can always be counted on for a few answers. Many of these players grew up playing both sports, so the skill is clearly there. I, for one, would love to see some of the dekes or last ditch efforts that lead to a player kicking the puck into the net.

3.  Flow of the Game

If nothing else, the video review of a ‘kicked’ puck can really take away from the flow of a game, and can play a pretty big role in changing momentum in the game. By avoiding video review of suspect goals, I’m sure fans would be much happier. Think of it from an outsider’s perspective. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to non-fans for a goal to not count because it was kicked in. And it definitely wouldn’t be that entertaining to watch continuous replays talking about it.

–

Bottom line, from my perspective, is that this is a dated rule, and should be one of the first that the NHL should look at changing. As long as the puck doesn’t go in off a hand or a high stick, it should simply be a goal. And that my friends, is not under review.

Stay classy, outdated kicking motion rule.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 10.0/10 (2 votes cast)

26 comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

The Ottawa Senators Internal Strategic Planning (Chapter 4)

January 19th, 2010

For the longest time, I thought that the annual goaltender controversy in Ottawa was just a coincidence. But fortunately, I recently stumbled upon the Ottawa Senators Internal Strategic Planning document, and as it turns out, it’s not such a coincidence after all. From chapter 4, entitled “The False Sense of Doom to Re-create Excitement and Sell More Tickets Once the Team Starts Winning Again.”

–

Here in Ottawa, we have a proud goaltending history. Some goaltenders have been so proud to hear they were traded to Ottawa that they actually shed a few tears. And if Damian Rhodes ever says otherwise, he has no proof, so there.

As a team, both on and off the ice, the goaltending is essential to our success as an organization. They are, after all, the gatekeepers of the net. Beyond that, they play a tremendous role in keeping the fans happy. Traditionally, we have always asked our goaltenders to be model citizens, so as to avoid altercations when they are faced with obscenities being hurled at them by irrate fans.

As part of the Strategic Plan for the Ottawa Senators, we have introduced a new practice to help sell more tickets and merchandise. Annually, we roll-out a plan so devious that if other organizations were to learn of its existence, we are unsure they would be able to even successfully implement it (attached as Appendix A is a Case Study called “Brian Burke and Goaltender Controversies; an Exercise in Futility”). The following is a step-by-step process to utilize the Annual Goaltender Controversy.

With the 82-game season that the NHL currently employs, most fans are aware that franchises will suffer through the occasional losing streak. It is at this point that we tend to make a knee-jerk reactionary move. Sometimes it’s a trade. Sometimes it’s a firing. Essentially, we take this opportunity to purge ourselves of something we don’t like as much as we used to. The logic behind this is that attention is deferred away from front office, management, coaching staff, and overpaid players.

Generally speaking, a decline is usually allowed to continue for a few more days. In Ottawa, we like to use this opportunity to ‘convince’ our starting goaltender that a few soft goals may not be such a bad idea. Once mainstream media analysis of the soft goals is complete, the coach is made aware that he is to play the back-up goaltender, or, if possible, an unproven AHLer. Logically, it is as this point that the goaltender puts on a somewhat stellar performance. We usually ask for a shutout, but a GAA under 2.00 is also acceptable. Future successes might also include the first hat-trick from a goaltender in franchise history.

At the Senators organization, we are very proud of our local media coverage of the team. It is at this point that we call on that media to overhype and overuse the term “goaltender controversy.” The kickbacks vary for using this term, but it should be noted that many media are simply able to reprint stories from previous seasons, and just replace names and scores.

If done successfully, the goaltender controversy creates antipathy at first, and eventual excitement. As an organization, we rely heavily on this time of year to (a) purge ourselves of employees who aren’t pulling their weight; (b) ensure there is more coverage of the team in the local media, and (c) sell dozens of t-shirts and jerseys with the names of our various goaltenders.

Next Chapter: The Use of the Terms “Upper and Lower Body” and How to Effectively Differentiate the Two.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 9.0/10 (1 vote cast)

5 comments »

Posted in NHL Humor

Tags:

What can NHL teams do to improve atmosphere?

January 8th, 2010

It’s a tough thing, the business of in-game entertainment. A slow, boring game can sap the life out of an arena pretty quickly, and pockets of empty seats can stop “the wave” dead in its tracks.

As a frequent attendee of hockey games, I’ve been fortunate to witness the best from hockey crowds, and unfortunate to see the worst as well.

Recently, Erin Nicks at Universal Cynic posted a statement from The Real Sens Army about some mistreatment they received at Scotiabank Place. Root of the problem: the group intended to cheer loud and proud for the Ottawa Senators at a recent home game, but were shunned, exiled and even kicked out for ‘rowdy’ behaviour.

Now I don’t intend to cast guilt on either party. I wasn’t there, and I can’t speak to what happened. But it does raise some interesting issues about Scotiabank Place crowds.

So how do you get the crowd more involved? What elicits a response from crowds, and what is downright cheesy? I think there’s a few things we can look at, which hopefully find their way to the right people.

1.  Fans aren’t stupid.

- There is an absurd amount of coddling that takes place during hockey games. To think of a few: the noise-meter, the red light, the “Noise” wordmark that travels around the arena. All of these seek to create a response, but in my opinion, do nothing but offend the fan. I understand the necessity to fill dead air with noise, but fan responses are…

2.  …organic.

- That’s right. Fans are an organism. If you look at the fan base as a body or structure, it is filled up of many moving parts. In unison, it can work marvellously; however, it also has the ability to appear discombobulated without a unified goal. I know it sounds like I’m saying one thing and preaching the other, but fan responses (the best ones at least) come from the grassroots and not from a fancy graphic on the scoreboard. Not once have I ever seen the scoreboard tell fans to Boo the referee, but yet these are some of the loudest moments in a game. Same goes for booing individual players. As such, in-game entertainment should seek to complement this organic and grassroots movement, rather than force it. Which leads me to my next point.

3.  Fans often come up with better choices than they’re given.

- This might offend a few people in the marketing department, but it is a difficult point to argue against. After all, the marketing department is at the arena every single day. It must be hard to not have apathy find it’s way into the job, and sometimes it’s easier to look at what other arenas are doing and just emulate that. But like the booing of a referee or a player, fans respond better to the mob mentality than they do to big brother. Think back to a few years ago during the playoffs when the “Alfie chant” first emerged. No prompting from the scoreboard. No explanation from Stuntman Stu. Pure, unadulterated passion from the fans. In my opinion, the marketing department should be taking a long look at stuff like that, and trying to complement it rather than replace it. I think throwing “Alfie, Alfie, Alfie” on the scoreboard is a lot more effective than “Noise!”

4.  We’re there for the hockey game, but the marketing should be about us.

- The Senators have tried this over the past few years, but ‘Sens Army’ just hasn’t taken off as well as I thought it would. But the marketing should be about the fans and their contributions to the game and the team. The 13th Man for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (sorry, the irony is too much) is a classic example. But again, fans aren’t stupid. A simple slogan of ‘Wear Red’ might work for a few, but pictures and movies of an arena awash in red is much more effective. We want to know that our contributions to the game are being recognized, rather than being told what to do. The Senators have done an okay job at this, sometimes. A few years ago they had a video playing about the run to the cup, but this is still the closest I’ve seen them get to celebrating the fans. The Montreal Canadiens, on the other hand, make you feel like you’ve been around for the entire 100 years of the organization; that in some microcosmic way, the fans have contributed to the franchise’s success. I don’t need to see highlights of goals and saves anymore. I need to see the fans.

5.  Fans respond to one another.

- This is the simplest of all. It’s a mob mentality out there, but good ideas don’t go unnoticed. Even the shyest individuals will join a chant if enough people are involved. I like to think of the J-Block at Arthur Ashes stadium as a classic example. Whenever James Blake plays in the U.S. Open, the J-Block is full of fans cheering for Jason Blake, wearing matching shirts and going absolutely nuts for him. Why not block off a section of Scotiabank Place, and advertise it as a fan zone. But not a GM Fan Zone. Advertise that this is for real fans only. Noisemakers, signs, capes and flags are not only there, but strongly encouraged. I have no doubt that it would take off and maybe even grow.

–

I’m not sure if any of these ideas will actually go anywhere, but I had to write it down. I’ve grown so tired of going to games and watching fans sit on their thumbs. Maybe I’m way off base on these ideas, but hey, I tried. And I’m not even getting paid for this.

Stay classy, Ottawa Senators crowds.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

7 comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

Thoughts on last night’s Senators-Flyers game

December 11th, 2009

Ottawa Senators- 2, Philadelphia Flyers- 0

Although every Stayclassy.net writer predicted the Ottawa Senators would lose (badly) to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, they didn’t. As it turns out, they shutout the Flyers 2-0 in a pretty solid road victory. This is probably the road game the Senators were looking to churn out in Philly back on November 12 in that 5-1 loss.

Before reviewing the game any further, I’d like to make two quick points.

  1. Today is Daniel Alfredsson’s birthday. The Senators captain is 37 years old.
  2. Does anyone else find it strange that the Flyers went out and hired Peter Laviolette? Sure, he was probably the best and most qualified coach for an NHL team in need of a fresh voice. But he’s also a coach that doesn’t believe in teams fighting and playing intimidating hockey. Although he’s a great NHL coach, I’m not sure he’s the best coach for the “Big Bad Flyers.” Just sayin’…

With that out of the way, here are last night’s Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier moments.

The Classy

Little Nicky, where have you been all this time. I remember last year, after Clouston took over, Burgundy and I were all hyped up that Nick Foligno might actually make it to 25 goals. We even had a Little Nicky Watch, as we called it. As it turns out, the Little Nicky Watch had to be renamed after authorities caught wind of it and thought it might be something different….but I digress.

Great to see that Nick had arguably his best game of the season. He was all over the place. I remember after the end of the second period, only Nick Foligno had shots on net from the line of Foligno-Fisher-Kovalev. He has a really interesting skillset as a hockey player, and while his goals are rarely pretty, they sure are fun to watch at times. Just thinking about his little undressing of Pronger is exciting enough.

Non-Classy

What can you say about the Philadelphia Flyers. I had extremely high hopes for them this season as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. I thought the addition of Pronger, coupled with solid goaltending in Emery was going to vault them ahead of the pack. Well, since that great start of the season, they are now playing below .500 hockey. Even a coaching change only seemed to light a temporary fire under them. They’ve been shutout in 3 of their last 6 games, which really shouldn’t be happening to a team that boasts Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell and Daniel Briere, among others.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

Brian Elliot.

Wait, what?!? A shutout. Sorry, he’s been my default guy here for a while.

But really, Jason Spezza seems to have lost a tonne of confidence. There was a time, on any one of his breakaways, when I could leave the room to grab a drink because I knew he would score. Usually he just fakes a huge shot from the hashmarks, gets the goalie to commit, and then dekes the puck into the net. Well last night, he let Boucher go down, and then he shot at the 5-hole?!???!?!? Just not sure what’s happening with his game. This isn’t a criticism. It’s a concern.

- -

Wow. Since none of the Stayclassy.net writers called that one at all, I’m surprised we’ll even have readers for our next gameday preview against the Carolina Hurricanes. Judging by the shear difference in points between these two squads, you’d pretty much have to give this to the Ottawa Senators. But we’ve been surprised before.

Hopefully–and I sound like a broken record–Ottawa can build off this victory and string a few more together. If not for my sake, at least do it for the kids. It’s the holiday season, after all.

Stay classy, recently off my S**t-list Ottawa Senators.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

No comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

Thoughts on last night’s Canadiens-Senators game

December 9th, 2009

Montreal Canadiens- 4, Ottawa Senators- 1

Olay, olay, olay olay! Or something like that.

Let’s be clear about one thing. The Montreal Canadiens will not win a Stanley Cup, despite the fact that they’ve now pulled into a playoff spot and have tied Ottawa in points. They will not win a Stanley Cup, despite the sense of entitlement that the organization seems to have in their Centennial Season Version 2.0.

Let’s be clear about one more thing though. The Senators got schooled last night. Well, save for the first period. Until Montreal scored. After that it went downhill.

With that said, here are last night’s Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier moments.

The Classy

Absolutely nothing.

Well, maybe Fisher for the goal and going 18/24 (75%) in faceoffs. Oh, and for being the only Senator to hit anyone.

Alternatively, the third/fourth line of Winchester, Regin and Shannon. I wonder if Cory Clouston ever considered that his most dominant line should somehow get more icetime, given that they’ve earned it with their play.

Also, Daniel Alfredsson is awesome. But that’s a given.

Non-Classy

As much as I hate to quote Jason Portuando (I really do hate it- ask Burgundy), our Defense was like E-fense last night. There was no ‘D’. In all fairness and truthiness, I haven’t seen the Sens defence that bad in a very long time. A very, very long time.

I’ve often spoken about how much fun it is to watch a Senators defenseman pinch into the offensive zone and make a smart play. Well, I guess they forgot about the ‘smart’ part of that equation last night. A number of pinches failed miserably, and left the Sens open for what would normally be avoidable 2-on-1′s. On that topic as well, Montreal’s first goal of the night is a classic example why you take the pass, and NEVER the shooter on a 2-on-1. The goalie will take the shot. Frig.

Oh, and another thing. When you’re given that much Powerplay time, score, okay? We’re clear?

Could-Have-Been-Classier

Wayne Gretzky once said that 100% of the shots you don’t take, won’t go in. But that was Gretzky. Practically 100% of the shots he took always went in. The Ottawa Senators=Not Wayne Gretzky.

Ottawa outshot the Canadiens by a considerable margin last night, but it’s not really a good shot if you shoot it at the goalie. Shoot for the holes, you fools.

Also, the Sens won  67% of the offensive faceoffs. However, it was what they did with the puck that Could-Have-Been-Classier. They didn’t get any sustained pressure in the offensive zone (except for Regin-Winchester-Shannon), and they didn’t get enough quality chances from the point.

- -

Well, let’s put that one behind us why don’t we, and look to Thursday’s game. I have a couple requests, however. 1) Chris Neil, can you please return. Honestly, you seem to add just enough life to the team when they’re down. 2) Pascal Leclaire, can you please return. You seem to add just enough life to the team when they’re down. 3) Jason Spezza, can you please return to your form from previous years.

I don’t even care about the next game. It’s against the Flyers in Philly. I’m getting a little tired of this win-one, lose-three philosophy that we’ve adopted.

Get classy Senators.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

4 comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

Thoughts on last night’s Senators-Kings game

December 4th, 2009

Los Angeles Kings- 6, Ottawa Senators- 3

There was a moment last night when Pierre McGuire asked Cory Clouston, “So, you enjoying the West Coast?”, to which Clouston responded “Absolutely.” What the hell. No you’re not. The west coast has been nothing but evil for this team. Unless they’re spending all their time on the beach, which might seem plausible given they way they played, the Sens have no reason to be enjoying the west coast.

As it turns out, the Sens have not had a very good record in Los Angeles. So why mess with history, right? A fast goal from the Kings seemed to deflate the Sens initially, and while they seemed to be storming back and showing some fight, Los Angeles just seemed to score at the most inopportune times as far as the Sens were concerned.

Anyways, two games in California. Zero points. Let’s hope Arizona treats us better.

So here it is; the Classy, Non-Classy and Could-Have-Been-Classier.

The Classy

You know, it’s nice to see that this whole Mike Fisher thing might not be an experiment after all. I don’t know if I was alone, but I remember thinking when he got injured that perhaps this might just take the wind out of his sails, so to speak. Well, two goals last night had me thinking I was wrong. Fisher seemed to be buzzing again last night, including those two goals, and some great physical play. He absolutely crushed Drew Doughty on the side boards last night, which kind of gave me a tingle. I won’t say where.

The Co-Classy of last night’s game was Ottawa actually killing off those three penalties at the end of the 1st and into the 2nd period. I really don’t know what else to say other than it should have been a TSN Turning Point. Nevertheless, the Kings would have been kicking themselves had they not won this game, because they had ample opportunity in those 5 minutes of PP time.

Non-Classy

As I mentioned earlier, it was the inopportune timing of goals that were Non-Classy last night. The Kings’ 1st goal game so quickly into the game, I had barely settled into my fantabulous couch to watch the game. While Ottawa tied the game up, the penalty shot game just at a time when Ottawa was finally showing some life again. Even when Ottawa tied the game 3-3 in the 2nd period, Drew Doughty had to unleash a cannon to take the lead. After that, there was no looking back.

But I have to think that if some of those goals not gone in when they did (aside from the simple math), it would have been a very different game.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

Oh Brian Elliott. I hate to throw this on your shoulders. I really like you and I really think you’re going to be a great goalie for us in the future. But you have to have a few of those goals man. I mean, you’re solid. Don’t take any of this the wrong way. I’m not throwing you under a bus, and I don’t want to suggest that you should be thrown there. Even Pascal Leclaire has been here, so you’re in good company. But please be classier moving forward.

- -

Next up for the road-weary Sens is a game against the Hamilton Blackberries, or Phoenix Coyotes. They had an attendance level of just over 9,000 last game against the Flames, and that’s an inter-conference game! So Saturday should raise the roof, right?

This is kind of a must win for the Sens, and I hate to say it. But they really do need to come away from this road trip with some points. I do believe they’ve now lost 6 in a row on the road, and that ain’t good come point-counting time in April. Perhaps we can get Corningstone, who hails from Arizona, to give us an extra special preview of this tilt?

Stay classy, California hockey teams (including you Anaheim Ducks *shakes fist). Now I remember why I hate you.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

4 comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

Thoughts on last night’s Senators-Bruins game

November 29th, 2009

Boston Bruins- 4, Ottawa Senators- 3, shootout

You know, every now and then a game comes along that is just so easy to recap. Not because of the simplicity of the game, or the amount of goals scored. Just because last night’s game couldn’t have made picking the Classy, Non-Classy and Could-Have-Been-Classier any easier. It was almost chronological.

Ottawa did storm out to a very quick 2 goal lead, but gave those back as they settled into a “I don’t really care anymore” attitude. If not for the heroics of a Captain who shows no age, and an excellent game plan with 30 seconds left, Ottawa would not have come away with any points from this game.

So with that, here’s last night’s (virtually chronological) Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier.

The Classy

Dear Daniel Alfredsson. Where is the water fountain that you drink out of? That is all. Best regards.

But in all seriousness, Daniel Alfredsson getting a goal, an assist, and saving Brian Elliott’s butt in the 1st period are what make him such a Classy guy. He continues to show that he’ll strap this team on his back, if need be, and he has all the skill and talent to do so. Every time you think you’ve seen it all from him, he surprises you.

Non-Classy

So if the Classy was awarded in the 1st period, then surely the Non-Classy came in the 2nd period, right? Well almost. Basically, Ottawa’s penalty killing failed them last night, as they allowed Boston to storm back with three unanswered powerplay goals. You really shouldn’t be giving a team like Boston that many opportunities, as they proved tonight that it will bite you in the ass.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

So the Could-Have-Been-Classier came in overtime? Well, not exactly. I guess you could say that Ottawa’s comeback Could-Have-Been-Classier. But really, this just boils down to their shootout. It’s funny, because whenever Ottawa wins in overtime, I’m a huge proponent of getting rid of the 1-point for going to overtime rule. But when I woke up this morning, all I could say to myself was “at least they got one point.”

- –

Next up is a Tuesday night game against the San Jose Sharks, in San Jose. I can’t really think of any significant storyline for this one, other than it’s Ottawa’s first game to the west coast this season? Also, I think Rogers Sportsnet is expecting higher than average viewership for a 10:30pm game. For what reason, I’m not sure.

Stay classy Daniel Alfredsson’s Ottawa Senators.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

No comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags:

Thoughts on last night’s Blue Jackets-Senators game

November 26th, 2009

Ottawa Senators- 2, Columbus Blue Jackets- 1

So I was fortunate enough to attend the game this time around, and even more fortunate that the Sens pulled out the win.

I think one of the biggest things to take away from the game was that the Ottawa Senators are showing some incredible resiliency and tenacity. Considering the number of players they’re now missing (especially key players), and that they played 2 games in as many nights, the team is showing a willingness to win and do the right things to get there.

The officiating was pretty suspect again for the game (more on that later), but the Senators still found a way to pull this one out. Considering the amount of goals that Columbus usually allows, it was kind of weird to only see a 2-1 final. But chalk it up to both teams playing cautiously smart hockey for 60 minutes. Ottawa just played smarter.

So with that, here’s last night’s Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier.

The Classy

As with any win, there’s lots that I can throw in here. As you may recall, I kind of called Spezza out for the Could-Have-Been-Classier after the last game. I promised him that if he did indeed begin to shoot more, he could expect some praise and be added to the Classy. So I’m not going to disappoint. Jason Spezza: You are Classy. Particularly when you shoot the puck. I’m pretty sure I heard the net whimper when that shot hit. Well done sir.

Honourable mention does go to Jesse Winchester. Ever since his rehab stint in the AHL, he’s been itching to make an impact. Whether he’s playing 6 minutes or 10 minutes a game, Winnie seems to make an difference on the ice. He’s fast, strong, has great hockey sense, and he seems to just make the right plays. Keep it up.

As well, Brian Elliott demonstrated again that the future is bright in Ottawa’s goal.

Non-Classy

As I had a chance to watch the game live, I really didn’t get to experience the verbal suck that Pierre McGuire seemed to be espousing all night. But I did read my Twitter. So Pierre McGuire, for all intents and purposes, and by majority rule, you were Non-Classy.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

This one is going to have to go to the refereeing. And before people jump on me for that last comment, yes, I am well aware that Dave Jackson blew both his ACL and his MCL with that solid takedown from Rick Nash. And yes, I know there was only one referee for the rest of the game. But come on. I texted my buddy Charly during the game about this very topic, and here’s what I got:

Tambland- “It’d be hard to call a game fairly when you’re only used to looking one way.”
Charly- “So he can pretend he’s crossing the street then…no excuses.”

Again, I don’t want to take away from the fact that the referee was having to do twice the work, but Charly has it right. No excuses. These are professionals, but yet we continue to talk about how bad the refereeing has been this season. So refs, get Classier.

- –

Next up for the now rolling Senators is the Boston Bruins. It looks like Boston might be waking up from their slumber, but Ottawa shouldn’t be counted out like they would have in the beginning of the season. Interdivision matchups are always a blast, and with the implication this game could have for the Eastern Conference standings, I expect a few fireworks. It’s just too bad Neil isn’t in the lineup to rematch with Lucic. But Matt Carkner is always good to go, right?

Stay classy new movie title: “How Senators Got Their Groove Back”.

Follow Tambland on Twitter or be a Stayclassy.net fan on Facebook.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

4 comments »

Posted in NHL Commentary

Tags: