Senators stunned by Anaheim's dominance
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 | 12:49 PM ET
Saturday night, Brian Burke – being no dummy – saw the same thing you and I did. The Ottawa Senators were a much better team with a reckless Chris Neil bashing everything Anaheim he could see.
So, Burke went out to ruin the Ottawa forward’s effectiveness the best way he could, by calling Neil a head-shot artist at a time when the league is suffering from head-shot angst. Think about it: last round, Burke and Chris Pronger go on the offensive when the defenceman gets suspended, blaming everyone but Sanjay from American Idol for the ban. This time, both are contrite, saying they accept the decision. But Burke makes sure Neil will be the referees’ focus, calling it “mind-boggling” that there was no hearing for the hit on Andy McDonald.
Then, in Game 4, Neil gets two first-period penalties and isn’t anywhere near as effective. General Eisenhower didn’t come up with as good a battle plan in World War II.
===
You could see it in the Senators’ eyes after Game 4. They were stunned. And it wasn’t only the players. Head coach Bryan Murray simply didn’t have an explanation for the post first-period collapse. Neither did anyone else.
Oh sure, you had the usual answers about how “there is nothing to lose now” or “we can still win this,” but the eyes don’t lie. With the exception of Ray Emery, who must be a phenomenal poker player, these guys were zombies. It’s a look I haven’t seen from them all playoffs. Until Monday night, they never doubted themselves even as so many others doubted them.
I think the organization is as stunned as we are by how much Anaheim is just dominating Ottawa five-on-five. With three power play chances in the opening period, the Senators outshot the Ducks 13-2. But when the penalty parade stopped, it was all over. At even strength, this series is not even close. In Game 3, the Senators were better there, getting “seven or eight” more chances than they had in Games 1 and 2 (according to Randy Carlyle), but it was back to shutdown central on Monday.
John Muckler made a really interesting observation the other day, about how this team reminds him of the 1983 Edmonton Oilers. It was the first time that team made the Cup final, where it was swept in four games by the Islanders dynasty. Muckler said that group had no idea how much harder it is to win the last series, how hard you need to play to beat another team playing its very best.
Clearly, these Senators are learning the hard way.
There is a pretty famous story about how when the Oilers went past the Islanders room after the series was over, they saw no major celebrations. Instead, there were exhausted champions covered in ice bags. Only then did they understand the sacrifices needed to win.
As Muckler put it, “You need to have more cuts and bruises than they do.” Right now, the Senators don’t have enough cuts and bruises. Of course, Edmonton did win five Cups in seven years after learning that lesson. The Senators would be content with one.
===
Did you hear Carlyle in the post-game, asked about Daniel Alfredsson’s shot at Scott Niedermayer?
“Players have long memories.”
No doubt Alfredsson is frustrated. He’s playing hard as linemates Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley are totally overwhelmed. It probably won’t happen in this series, but someday there will be repercussions.
I like Alfredsson. I think he’s never received enough credit from Ottawa’s fans for his passion and fire. But that was very wrong.
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About the Author
Elliotte Friedman is the host of the CFL ON CBC. Prior to being named host in 2006, Friedman worked on the CFL on CBC broadcasts for the three seasons as a sideline reporter. A Toronto native, Friedman is well known for his additional work on Hockey Night in Canada, as well as his presence on the Torino 2006 Winter Games telecasts as a hockey reporter. Prior to joining the CBC, Friedman worked at The Score network and was widely regarded as one of the best reporters in the country. Friedman used his reporting skills to break stories and file feature reports for high profile events including six Stanley Cup Finals, four Grey Cup Championships, two World Series and one Olympic Games. He is also a regular on the nationally syndicated Prime Time Sports radio telecast, hosted by Bob McCown.
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Comments
James
Ontario
Surprise, surprise. The Ducks were better than the Sens. And why is it such a surprise? Because of the quirky NHL schedule that has the Ducks in Ottawa ONCE and the Sens get to Anaheim for the first time this season last week!!
Bettman and the schedulers (yes, the teams themselves share the blame here too) have to come up with a schedule that allows the fans to see "the other teams" more than once a season.
Posted June 7, 2007 04:28 PM
David
Ottawa
Kelly Hrudy is the biggest idiot in hockey for saying TWICE that Ray Emery should be pulled and replaced with Gerber. The first was Saturday night's game when Ottawa was WINNING the game. He said that if Emery lets in one more goal, then Gerber should replace him. Then, last night he said that Emery was off his game and should be replaced.
Hey Kelly, maybe we should have just replaced Bryan Murray, or how about replace Ottawa's top line with players that haven't played in months. Emery is a huge reason that Ottawa did so well during these playoffs and also the reason that Ottawa didn't lose their games by a much bigger margin. What would have been the point in replacing Emery in the third period last night when it was evident that Ottawa would not win?
I'm glad you are not coaching. Idiot!
Posted June 7, 2007 08:46 AM
Phil
Ottawa
Good article, Elliotte and bang on!
The Senators did the City of Ottawa proud by making it to the Cup and shaking off some long-standing skeletons in the closet but, as you poited out, they didn't bleed enough to win it. With time, Ottawa may return to the finals and may eventually win it, but this wasn't their year. It was a much-needed learning experience.
Despite Ottawa's previous spring disappointments, this year proved to skeptics that the team could go far into the playoffs and win against very tough teams. The big challenge now is that they have to build on this and develop more grit, heart and learn the true meaning of sacrifice.
The way I see it, they have to add at least two or three more tough-as-nails grunt players who are willing to take the hits and dish them out to play against Western Conference teams. These types of people, such as the Niedermeyers, Getzlaf, McDonadld, Perry et al. just prove that with a good degree of skill and all-out determination, good things can happen. Ottawa should take note of this for the offseason and make team adjustments as necessary.
To me, it is OK to have finesse and play well against the Eastern-based teams but it doen't mean anyting if you can't play the grinding, crashing, smash-mouth style hockey that litters the West.
People can question Alfredsson's character all they want and pick apart his foibles but at the very least, he has proven to be a very good leader and has helped the team get to where they are. The only thing missing from his game is the all-out sacrifices and bloody-minded determination to win at any price. The tragedy, if there really is one, is that the rest of the team didn't elevate their game when it counted most and they paid for it with a 4-1 series blowout and were manhandled by a much more physical, more determined and gutsy team. For this, Anaheim should be congratulated. This is their true gift to the Senators for future years.
Posted June 7, 2007 08:42 AM
Derek H
Moncton
The shots were what, 15-8. Worst hockey I have ever seen. I guess the NHL got what they wanted, a cup in California.
Posted June 6, 2007 10:48 PM
Mike Johnston
Toronto
The NHL is the only league that calls the rules differently depending on the time of the season. The NHL cracked down on obstructions at the beginning of the season. By the finals they stopped calling the obstruction. Every year the NHL promises to clean up the game but by the finals it is back to the old awful hockey. I have been lied to too many times now and will likely stop watching this sorry excuse for a professional league. Can you imagine the CFL not calling offsides because it is the Greycup?
Posted June 6, 2007 10:43 PM
ursa minor
Vancouver
Burke's lobbying of the officials, which is typical of any number of NHL GM's, is one of the biggest reasons why some of us can't take hockey seriously.
The bargaining through the media during the lockout was bed enough, having to put up with GM's haggling referrees during the playoffs is worse.
Posted June 6, 2007 06:45 PM
daffygremlin
DC
As i sens fan i have to say that i disagree with the writers comments about Alfredsson not recieving enough credit. He has been my favorite player for 3 or 4 years now and will continue to be. I hope the sens make just one more game so he can win the MVP. (i cant see them giving him the mvp if ottawa goes down in 5)
Posted June 6, 2007 05:25 PM
shanaugh
calgary
Elliotte Friedman, this is all you need to know about anaheim!!
**fast facts** we stand on guard for thee...CAN someone pass these facts on to Don Cherry for tonights game?????
I'm sick of Anaheim "being sorry" for every hit, game, penalty, fore check and everything else. THIS IS A GREAT HOCKEY CLUB!!
***ANAHEIMS ALL CANADIAN STARTING LINE UP***
Goal Defence forwards
giqure pronger mcdonald
beauchemin kunitz
niedermayer getlaf
odonnell penner
jackman perry
huskins niedermayer
dipenta moen
thornton
may
If defense wins championships, we look no further than this all canadian roster....we as canadians should be proud of these BOYS, so should CBC, two teams on the ice!!
Posted June 6, 2007 03:40 PM
David
Part of the problem for the eastern teams is their schedule. They do not have the opportunity to get used to a gruelling play/travel schedule like the western teams endure all year. This combined with the emphasis on conference play leaves them disadvantaged and pretty ignorant of just how dominant the western teams are.
Posted June 6, 2007 02:55 PM
Lynda
Ottawa
I'm sick and tired of all this trash talk about Alfie. There wasn't nearly as much fuss about Pronger and his dirty hits and I mean that plural and all the clutching and grabbing by the Ducks. Something the league was trying to crack down on all year but in the playoffs it's okay. If a Duck had accidentally hit a player like Alfie did you wouldn't hear a peep.
And what is this about the Ducks not allowing the Sens to practice! The crap continues and the media just lap it up. Disgusted.
Posted June 6, 2007 02:42 PM