Walt Disney could not be telling this story any better than it is
really happening. From bottom of the heap a few short years ago to
very near the top, the Senators continued their assent this period.
From an individual standpoint the stories continue. On a wicked
shot, forward Bill Berg shot a puck through the mesh of the net for
his first goal in 16 months. Ron Tugnutt posted his 10th career
shutout in a game that included a period where the team prevented a
shot on goal from the opposition (the second time this season this
has happened). The Senators are a disciplined unit as evidenced by
the fact that they are the least penalized team in the NHL,
averaging about 10 minutes per game.
In addition to scoring their largest margin of victory ever (9-2
against the Islanders) the team is now 13 games over the .500 mark
(franchise record) and are looking like one of the teams to beat in
the league, not only this season, but for a while to come. The
Senators are the youngest team in the NHL with average
age of 26.2 years old (the Dallas Stars are the oldest team in the
league on average at 30.0).
After finally losing to the New Jersey Devils and coming off their
most lop-sided victory ever (Islanders) the Senators headed to the
Canadian West for a 'mighty fine' three-game road trip. After a
close victory against the Canucks, they tied the Oilers and then
burnt the Flames.
Road trip - New Jersey
Ottawa, which eliminated New Jersey in the first round of the
playoffs last season, had its
four-game winning streak against the Devils snapped with a 4-1
loss. Brian Rolston continued his strong play (particularly
against the Senators) with a goal and an assist. The Senators
faced a team that basically wanted it more. After losing three
times in just under two months to the Senators, the Devils were
primed. The Senators did attack in the third period but could not
get anything past Brodeur. After going zero for three on the
powerplay, the Senators
were 0-for-23 through their last five games. After the game, coach
Martin indicated the need to focus his practices more on the
powerplay.
* The Senators' franchise-record seven-game (6-0-1) road unbeaten
streak was broken.
A real case of the who-dun-it's becomes the
who-cares-get-on-with-hockey
Alexei Yashin called a press conference to hopefully finish the
questions associated with his one million dollar here you go, no
you don't, gift/hold back to the NAC (National Arts Centre).
Citing his need to move beyond these off ice matters and "return to
hockey", Yashin calmly explained how NAC officials approached him
and made him "feel like a criminal". He explained how they
contended that the $85,000 agreement between the Centre and Tatiana
Entertainment may be illegal due to tax irregularities. Tatiana
Entertainment was established by Yashin's handlers (Yashin's
mother's name is Tatiana) with the purpose of helping to bring
Russian art talent to Canada. Yashin explained that his agent,
Mark Gandler, had not approached NAC officials to demand payment of
the $85,000 as they had contested. His press conference entourage
included a tax expert to dispute the NAC claim.
Later in the same day that Yashin called his press conference, NAC
officials called one of their own. They not only disputed the
claim but indicated that they too would like nothing better than to
get back to business. Although the whole situation had come down
to Gandler's word against the NAC's, in the end more pressing
matters (like when will Alfie hit his stride) prevailed. The NAC
had lost the remaining $800,000 donation, Yashin had some of the
shine taken from him, and the budding hockey-arts relationship in
Ottawa was back to seedling status.
Largest margin of victory to date
Scoring three powerplay goals, the Senators bounced back from the
Devils loss to pound the New York Islanders 9-2. They took a 7-1
lead into the third period and coasted from there. The game set
records for the most goals for in team history, the largest margin
of victory and the most powerplay attempts by the Senators (13).
The Yashin-McEachern-Dackell line combined for 8 points.
* Jason York fired a team record 12 shots.
* Injuries mounted in the game as Patrick Traverse was hammered
into the boards and suffered a mild concussion and Bruce Gardiner
took a shot off his right foot.
* The Senators are 9-0-3 against the Islanders since a 5-4 loss on
January 6, 1996.
* The previous Senators franchise record was seven goals in a game,
last accomplished on February 26, 1996 against St. Louis.
* Daniel Alfredsson stayed out with a knee injury.
* The Senators outshot the Islanders 43-22.
* Recalled Senators defenceman John Gruden got his second chance in
the NHL replacing Janne Laukkanen in the lineup. The 28 year old
was last seen in the NHL in 1997 where he had completed a three
year stint with the Boston Bruins totalling 59 games.
Call me
Citing the need for bodies for their west coast swing, the team
recalled Yves Sarault and Radim Bicanek.
A 1-0 'blowout'
Firing 29 shots against Vancouver's 14, the Senators played in what
must have been their most one sided 1-0 victory to date. Ron
Tugnutt notched his second shutout of the season as the Senators
play (or maybe something else?) frustrated the Canucks into a
shotless entire third period. Steve Martins was credited with the
game-winning goal however it may have been Johansson who actually
put it in the net. A scramble in front of the net had Johansson
and Martins going for the goal.
* The only goal of the game was scored on the powerplay.
* The Senators did not dress the following players for the game:
Pitlick (hip), Traverse (mild concussion), Phillips (ankle),
Alfredsson (knee), Murray (knee), Gardiner (foot), Laukkanen
(back). The list includes four defencemen. Other than Peter Zezel,
all Canuck scratches were healthy scratches.
* After the game, coach Martin wondered if it was possible to hold
the opposition to no shots in the game.
* Coming off his first career All-Star Game appearance, Tugnutt
extended his unbeaten streak to 10 games (7-0-3). He has allowed
only seven goals in his last eight starts.
Through the net!
Ripping a hole through the net, the Senators Bill Berg's scored his
first goal in nearly 16 months. The goal, midway through the
third, capped a two goal comeback and allowed the Senators to earn
a rare point against the Oilers. After seeing the goal seemingly
go through the mesh of the net, referee Greg Kimberly went
immediately to video but there was no question. Shown to the
amazement of the 14,000 plus fans in the arena, the puck was shot
so purely that it went through the net.
* Since joining the Senators, Berg has played in 16 games on the
ice and has been a healthly scratch 14 times.
* On the play just prior to his big goal, Prospal made a great pass
to Berg and he missed the empty net. He was probably then
wondering if he would ever score again in the league.
* The Senators have not defeated the Oilers since January 18, 1994.
* Ron Tugnutt, a former Oiler, stretched his personal unbeaten
streak to 11 games (7-0-4).
Trivia Time
So, you think you're a big Bill Berg trivia buff? Try this one on
for size. As mentioned above, it has been 16 months since Berg's
last twine-bulger. Which goalie gave up this dubious goal?
Hint: He is still very much active in the NHL today. Answer at the
end of this column.
A lucky win.
Sometimes you don't have to play well to win. You just have to
play the right team. The Senators did just that as they edged past
the struggling Calgary Flames 2-1.
* The winner came on a play that was a disputed offside. Janne
Laukkanen lifted the puck high in the air from his own blue line
and Arvedson tracked it down in the slot.
* The game marked Ottawa's first win in Calgary (1-4-1).
On the farm?
A Quebec city group interested a partnership with the Senators for
a farm team has registered the new team name - the Nationals. this
was the same name as a fictional Quebec City team from the late 80s
Canadian TV series 'He Shoots He Scores'.
Drum Roll Please
Berg last scored a goal against...Sens teammate Ron Tugnutt. Tugger
was then a Capital, while Berg donned the Buds jersey.
