Posts Tagged ‘Chris Campoli’

Thoughts on last night’s Canadiens-Senators game

December 29th, 2009

Ottawa Senators- 4, Montreal Canadiens- 2

And just like that, the Ottawa Senators have won two straight games without Jason Spezza or Daniel Alfredsson in very unlikely ways: shootouts and timely powerplay goals.

Watching the Canadiens-Senators game on Monday night was like watching two half games. The first game stunk of another terrible Senators performance against the Canadiens and the second game being one of those gritty-team building games. As hard as the Canadiens pushed early on in this game, I kept thinking Pascal Leclaire’s play could steal a win for the Senators and that ended up being the case.

Although Sens fans walk away happy with Ottawa’s comeback win, last night’s game was far from perfect. But hey, at least the powerplay scored, right? Let’s take a closer look with the Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier moments of last night’s Canadiens-Senators game.

The Classy

Without a doubt, the classy for last night’s game goes to Pascal Leclaire. Leclaire was the only reason the score was 2-1 after the first period and the only Senator to play a full 60 minutes. I’m not sure where to start with Leclaire’s performance. He made the saves he needed to make, he made timely saves (the toe save on Kostitsyn just after the Regin goal was huge), and he wasn’t at fault for either of Montreal’s goals. I thought Leclaire’s confidence grew as the game wore on. He was playing way out of his crease, challenging Montreal shooters, even at the side of the net/off angles. This is one of the few games I’ve truly felt Leclaire stole for the Senators this season. He gave his team a chance to win and the Senators, led by Mike Fisher and Chris Neil were able to gain momentum from Leclaire’s amazing effort. Big time kudos, Pascal.

Honourable mention goes to Chris Neil who’s been nothing short of a driving force in Ottawa’s last two wins. Neil carried the same pest presence into this game and contributed big time, assisting on Peter Regin’s goal and eventually scoring the game winner in the third period. Neil’s impact was best felt in front of Jaroslav Halak and caused the Canadiens problems all night. Welcome back, Chris.

Non-Classy

Again, the Non-Classy element of last night’s game (from a Senators perspective) is their defensive play. It’s not just Ottawa’s defencemen, it’s the forwards too. Both of Montreal’s goals came from the slot – somewhere the centerman should be. Both goals looked more like penalty kills as the Senators boxed out four of Montreal’s players but left a man open and alone in the slot. I can’t believe this only burned the Senators twice. They can thank Leclaire for bailing them out as much and as often as he did. It’s worth mentioning last night was one of Filip Kuba’s worst games in recent memory.

And as far as actual Ottawa defencemen go – breaking out continues to be a problem. Watching the Senators run into Montreal’s neutral zone wall time and time again last night was frustrating. I found Chris Campoli’s empty net goal somewhat ironic considering how well it summed up Ottawa’s difficulties breaking out all night. Campoli wasn’t trying to score. He was trying to pass to Neil, but in keeping with the bad breakout passes theme, ended up scoring on the empty net. The puck wasn’t even close to Neil or his stick.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

I think I can confidently say both Senators and Canadiens fans will agree with me here. Between the penalties called and not called, as well as the Mike Fisher disallowed goal at the end of the second period, I think reffing could have been classier. As far Fisher’s non-goal, I’ve never understood why referees don’t go to video replay to ensure the right call is made. The emphasis seems to be on making sure the ref’s don’t look stupid. Given the importance on every call, let’s put the emphasis on getting the right call made. In this case, Kerry Fraser’s gut decision – Neil interfering with Halak – was incorrect. Imagine if Montreal had won 3-2? The NHL needs to stop worrying about hurting referees feelings. Just my take…

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Up next for the Senators is a game on Wednesday at home to Matt Duchene and the Colorado Avalanche. The Senators are going to be in tough against one of the biggest surprise teams of the year. The Avalanche are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and last played on Saturday in a win over the Dallas Stars. Ottawa will need to play strong the whole game (not just the third period) and ensure their forechecking is hard on a slick Avalanche team that moves pucks quickly and well. For many in Ottawa, this will be the first time to get a live look at a potential Calder candidate in Duchene. It should be a treat to watch him and other young stars on the Avalanche roster like Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Quincey among others.

Stay classy, Ottawa Senators.

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Thoughts on last night’s Sabres-Senators game

December 17th, 2009

Ottawa Senators- 2, Buffalo Sabres- 0

Yesterday, each Stayclassy.net writer predicted the Buffalo Sabres would beat the Ottawa Senators. In fact, each of us believed the game could be disastrous for a Senators team with a number of high profile injuries facing a red-hot Sabres group who’d won 4 straight games. We made similar predictions last week for Ottawa’s game in Philadelphia (the one where the Senators walked away with a 2-0 win). Last night’s game was déjà vu as the result was another 2-0 win in a game none of us accurately predicted. Not even close.

A quick note to Sens management: It seems the hockey gods do the exact opposite of what we predict. We’re willing to predict blowout losses for the remainder of the season for some form of compensation… Mull it over if you’d like.

Last night the Ottawa Senators executed a simple but effective game plan and held the Buffalo Sabres to only 22 shots. It was a solid team effort that showed character and grit – a knock this team has received for years. I thought Ottawa really took it to the Sabres early on with good pressure and smart play, despite an injury list that includes Jason Spezza, Pascal Leclaire, Chris Neil, Shean Donovan, and Nick Foligno.

Here are the Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier moments of last night’s Sabres-Senators game.

The Classy

I’ve been very hard on Brian Elliott lately, so it’s probably time I give him his due credit. Elliott was excellent last night, earning a 2nd shutout in his last 4 games. The majority of my Elliott critiques have revolved around his inconsistent play, so I’d be remiss not to mention his rock-solid performance in last night’s game. Elliott usually makes big saves, but what I found most surprising was all the routine saves he made too (seriously, who doesn’t remember Kessel’s goal from the other night?). This was a much better effort than the one he turned in for Monday night’s Leaf game. Of course, there was a moment or two where a juicy rebound was given up, but considering it was his 14th straight start and his 2nd shutout in 6 days, I’ll let up for now.

A few honourable mentions go to Ryan Miller, Jesse Winchester and Chris Campoli. Miller was absolutely amazing for the Sabres. He made a number of highlight reel saves (especially in the 1st period) that kept the Sabres in the game. Winchester looked very strong on the top line and did well doing all the little things in big minute situations. Campoli played pretty well as a forward, too. I thought he looked a bit awkward accepting passes in the neutral zone, but he understood his role and played it well. Let’s hope he doesn’t suffer Schubert’s fate in 8 months…

Non-Classy

One of the few ugly things from last night’s game was the Jarrko Ruutu hit on Patrick Keleta in the 2nd period. Ruutu was assessed a 5 minute boarding major for the hit (which Ottawa ended up only having to kill approximately 3 minutes of), but wasn’t ejected from the game. I don’t know if Ruutu will be suspended, but I wasn’t a fan of the hit. I understand finishing hits and taking players out of plays, but I felt the way Ruutu delivered the hit was unnecessary. Slowing it down, I had (and still have) a problem with the angle Ruutu came in at. Ruutu’s direction looks as though he’s bypassing Keleta’s body and going straight for the head. I feel if Ruutu had delivered a regular check by pressing Keleta’s back against the boards/glass, it would of been just as effective and not cost him team a 5 minute penalty kill.

The hit certainly puts a damper on the kind of game Ruutu played last night. I felt he contributed to a number of great scoring chances and played a strong game for the Senators.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

When you consider the adversity the Ottawa Senators are facing, coupled with the number of teams breathing down their necks for playoff spots, this was one of Ottawa’s better performances this season. It’s a difficult to point to a Could-Have-Been-Classier moment, but I’d like to speak to the number of penalties taken. At times, Ottawa lacked discipline that could of hurt the team, had it not been for solid penalty killing (the Senators diamond PK was impressive during Ruutu’s 5 minute major) and the lack of discipline from the Sabres (twice the Sabres took penalties while on the powerplay). Ruutu stands out as none of his 3 penalties were particularly good ones. I’d like to see Ottawa refine that portion of their game as they move forward.

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Up next for the Senators is a Friday night date with Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.  The 23-8-1 Devils are coming off 2 straight wins and have only played 1 road game this month. As a brief side note, will every New Jersey Devils game be previewed as “Can Marty Brodeur set the all time shutout record tonight versus …” until he actually does it? I’m already sick of this. I’m hoping he gets his 104th shutout soon so we can all move forward.

Back to the Devils – they are hot with 6 wins in their last 7 games and playing some of the most exciting hockey I can recall a Devils team playing. This will be another big test for the Ottawa Senators. Game time is at 7pm and will be aired on RDS and Sportsnet East.

Stay classy, Ottawa Senators.

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Thoughts on last night’s Senators-Predators game

October 23rd, 2009

October 22 – Nashville Predators vs Ottawa Senators

Last night’s game was a bit like bumper cars at the local fair.

You get all excited to get into the bumper car. You’ve got a big old game plan to bump the hell out of everyone until you get in that stupid dinky car and it starts to fight back. It doesn’t steer properly; it inexplicably goes in reverse; it leaves you vulnerable for the majority of the time you’re in it. But when you finally emerge from that bumper car induced stupor, and you’re finally ready to bump your opponents into oblivion, that teenage punk shuts the ride down. And to boot, you’re usually the closest you’ve ever been to the most jaw-dropping bump in the history of time.

That was last night’s game. In a nutshell. Or a bumper car, if you will.

Basically, the Ottawa Senators never really got a chance to start like they wanted to. They had some really bad luck early in the game. And when they finally started to get things together, it just wasn’t enough. And at the same time, they had- in place of the teenage punk – a moustachioed zebra to contend with.

But just like bumper cars, that doesn’t mean the game wasn’t entertaining.

So here it is: the Classy, the Non-Classy and the Could-Have-Been-Classier from last night’s game.

The Classy

Wow. Really tough to come away with a Classy from last night’s game. Pascal Leclaire, in his usual fashion, made some jaw-dropping saves. But he wasn’t the difference last night, and he really should have not let in all those goals.

Jason Spezza looked like a man who has been suffering from an injury for most of the season, and just can’t wait to break out of a goal-less drought.

Milan Michalek is looking like a pretty good deal right about now.

But last night’s Classy goes to the third period. Even despite the loss, that third period was nothing but fun. Every time the Nashville Predators went up by a goal, there was a feeling that Ottawa was only a few plays away from tying it up. It really was an exciting period of hockey, and it was great to see Scotiabank Place that excited so early in the season.

The Non-Classy

Bill McCreary maybe? Pretty safe bet, but even I would accuse myself of a lack of creativity on this one (But seriously Bill, who gave you the right to decide a game).

Last night’s Non-Classy, other than the fact that the first three goals went in off Ottawa players, goes to Ottawa Senators fans. There should be a rule, strictly enforced by Matt Carkner (that’s why he signed that contract, right?), that says if you leave your seat in the third period, you are no longer allowed to come back to any part of the building should the Senators tie the game before you’ve left the building. God people. You pay for the tickets. Or your company pays for the tickets. Either way, stay the course. An empty arena in an exciting third period is no fun. Period.

The Could-Have-Been-Classier

I’m going to probably take some flak for this one, but someone has to start saying it. Daniel Alfredsson is not himself. He doesn’t seem happy playing out there the same way he used to. Maybe he’s trying to do too much, but I remember one play when he called for the puck, didn’t get the pass, and slammed his stick on the boards in frustration.

In another play, on the PP, he had a wide open Chris Campoli on the point, but chose to go cross-ice to Erik Karlsson. The puck was immediately cleared from the zone when the pass didn’t make it through.

I’m not saying that Daniel Alfredsson isn’t classy, and it certainly isn’t non-classy, but I’m concerned right now about his game. I want him to succeed as much as the next guy, but there’s definitely something missing from his game.

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Next up, the Boston Bruins. Also coming of a high-scoring loss, Boston is going to be missing both Marc Savard and Milan Lucic when they visit Ottawa for the first time this season. Ottawa has had a Tonne-O’-Trouble with the Bruins, and more specifically Tim Thomas, over the last few years. So Saturday should really be a great test for this young season.

Should be fun.

Stay classy, Thursday night Barn Burners.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter. I know, I’m finally on Twitter!

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Thoughts on last night’s Senators-Penguins game

October 13th, 2009

October 12 – Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators

Monday night’s game kind of reminded me of a game of Monopoly when all you need is Boardwalk to win, but you just keep missing it until finally your little brother gets it and then you can’t manage to get past it and pay the little bugger whatever stupid rent you owe him until you finally have to trade away all your yellow properties, including the cherished Marvin Gardens. But I digress. I guess what I’m saying is that the bounces just didn’t go Ottawa’s way tonight.

In a game that Ottawa outshot Pittsburgh 30-28, one play in mind typifies how the Senators night went; Kovalev’s powerplay pass that went off the wrong end of Alfie’s blade and out of the zone. Most of last night’s goals came off weird bounces and karmic intervention. Clearly Thanksgiving was not meant to be a Penguin meal.

There were some bright spots throughout the game though. At times the Ottawa Senators did outplay the Pittsburgh Penguins, and newcomer Milan Michalek played more than 22 minutes of noticeably good hockey. Despite only registering one point, Jason Spezza is playing very good hockey these days. He did turn the puck over once or twice, but it’s what he does away from the puck that is what is making the difference. He is skating hard, backchecking and is engaged at both ends of the ice. His points will come soon enough.

So with that, I present the classy, non-classy and the should-have-been-classier from last night’s game.

The Classy

Tough to make the call for The Classy on a night when there wasn’t much classy going on. I considered throwing the newly formed line of Spezza, Cheechoo and Michalek here for the Classy, but I am going to hold onto that one until the magic finally happens (but kudos to Cory Clouston for finally putting Spezz and Cheech together).

Instead, this is going to go to the fourth line of Donovan, Rutuu and Kelly. As Clouston told the media, they did their jobs last night, crashed the net, and even got a few decent scoring chances. When your fourth line can go on, make some plays, and give the opposing first line some trouble, you know you’ve been classy.

The Non-Classy

The Chris Campoli-Erik Karlsson pairing clearly was not working tonight, but I am going to give Karlsson one more game before I throw him under the bus. Instead, last night’s Non-Classy is going to go to Murphy’s Law. Whether it was a bad bounce, a redirect off of two of Karlsson’s skates, or the inability to get a stick on the puck, nothing was going right for Ottawa last night.

Could-Have-Been-Classier

This one has to go to Pascal Leclaire, and I mean that in the nicest way. Pazzy probably could have prevented one of those goals, and I would like to see him get his rebounds under control a bit more. He is a very quick goalie, and he seems to get into position in an expedient amount of time, but better rebound control could make a huge difference. Don’t take this the wrong way Pazzy, because you’re still a classy guy. Even Burgundy agrees with me.

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All in all, this was a chippy and sluggish game. Ottawa didn’t bring their best game, but neither did Pittsburgh. As both of these teams start to find their regular season groove, I think the next match-up will be a much better tilt. It should be noted Sidney Crosby hasn’t scored a goal in his last 6 appearances at Scotiabank Place.

For now, Ottawa has a nice three day break for the media and bloggers alike to speculate about everything this team is going to do this season.

Stay classy, everyone.

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What a dumb summer

August 2nd, 2009

I don’t know what’s worse: waiting for Dany Heatley to be traded, or opening tsn.ca and seeing his picture, expecting some news as the page loads, and seeing that the story is merely that Dany Heatley might possibly still be moved.

Is this what my summer has become?

I had to admit after the Senators missed the playoffs last season, I was cautiously optimistic about the 2009/10 season. Perhaps, for the first time in a long time, I was even intrigued by the next season.

From the net all the way to the forward lines, there was a lot to be questioned, but a lot to be excited about:

- Could Pascal Leclaire finally be the goaltending answer in Ottawa?

- Was the addition of Chris Campoli and the possibility of Erik Karlson enough to answer the need of a “offensive defencemen”?

- Could Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly have another bad season? Not likely, right?

All that remained was the moves that Bryan had been talking about for an entire season: adding some secondary scoring and puck-moving defencemen.

In other words, pretty much everything seemed to be in place. But Dany dropped the bomb on us, and here I am; getting excited and then disappointed when I open tsn.ca.

I feel like a Leafs fan.

Here’s hoping the weather turns here in Ontario, and that this summer becomes more than just empty promises and false excitement.

Stay classy, summer.

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The Classy's: Stayclassy.net award season

April 8th, 2009

The NHL season is winding down.  We’re now being inundated with the same old questions.  Who is the league’s MVP?  Who deserves the Calder?  What if Cory Clouston would have taken over the Ottawa Senators sooner?  What was the play of the year?

We here at Stayclassy.net have never professed to be part of those mainstream questions.  So we’ve compiled our own list – the weirdest moments in the NHL.  Feel free to vote at the end of this entry. 

For your consideration:
 

David Clarkson Goal?  No Goal?  Wait… What?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goJ-KN42i_Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

I don’t know what the best part of this goal is. The fact that it’s a goal, or the look on Ron Wilson’s face when they call it a goal.

 

Animal Fights a Staal Brother

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ydsUCzi2E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1] 

This one has already made it’s way across TV and the blogosphere.  But why not revisit it again. It really does resemble Animal from the Muppets playing the drums.

 

Spezza vs. Phaneuf

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEtIgRfdp4Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

It’s more cause you never thought you’d see it. 

 

Miss Hit

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKez1uiB34E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

There are several reasons why this is too bad.  
1 –  It’s too bad because he sort of gets hurt on the play.
2 –  It’s too bad because he didn’t actually get a piece of anyone.
3 –  It’s too bad because it looks, for the briefest of moments, that the Toronto Maple Leafs look like they know what they’re doing.

 

Is There Now Such Thing as the Campoli Hat Trick?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdGdgEuYd1w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Seeing as he already scored once before scoring twice, it seems fair to award him the hat trick. Glad he’s on our team now. 

 

Who’s a Wookie?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiXqamz4OMs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

It’s only partially NHL related, so it counts.  Plus, Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole are hilarious.  But admittedly, if you stumbled upon two people having this argument, you’d think it was weird.  Not so much on national TV.
 

If you have any other suggestions for weird moments, please post them in the comments.  Some were left out deliberately to avoid rehashing old arguments (Alex Ovechkin 50th goal celebration), avoid controversy (Sean Avery “sloppy seconds” comment), and because they would only be applicable if they happened in the NHL (Ray Emery swinging at the team doctor).  

Vote for your favorite here:

[polldaddy poll=1523401]

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