Editor’s Note- On the eve of the Draft Lottery, I thought I would turn things over to two SensChirp regulars. Both el_chupacabras and PaV have offered up ChirpEds that I think help set the tone for tomorrow. I’ll be back with my own meandering thoughts on the biggest day in franchise history tomorrow morning. In the meantime, take it away fellas. 24 hours…
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WRITTEN BY- el_chupacabras
Ok Team Chirp, I want to talk to all of you, heart to heart.
I’m not from Ottawa, but I’ve lived here long enough to call it home. I was just about to enter high school when the team played their first game. I’ve been there for every high and every low and every single moment in between. I’ve been a season ticket holder for as long as I could afford to be one. My dad and I have been going to games together for years. He’s in his 70’s now, and I know that the memories of those games are among the ones I will hold dearest as he ages beyond this point and ultimately leaves me behind.
First game at the Civic Centre? I was there.
First game at the Corel Centre? I was there.
First playoff game? I was there.
First playoff series win? I was there.
Stanley Cup Finals? Yep.
Jersey retirements, 400th goals, OT wins, disappointing losses, all of it, I was there.
I once told a very embarrassed Shaun Van Allen that circa 1989, he was my favourite player because of how awesome he was for the Cape Breton Oilers, and it wasn’t even really a lie because I grew up in Nova Scotia and Vanner was the dude on that Cape Breton team, and yeah he was outscored by future Senator Mark Lamb, but dammit Mark Lamb wasn’t standing in front of me when I was having that conversation.
I’ve had so many great moments interacting with the players on this team. remember running into the Turris family while my kids played at Fisher Park and just stopping for 5-10 minutes to have a talk about anything but hockey. I had a nice chat with Mark Stone at the Westboro Superstore after the Pageau OT goal against the Rangers. I’ve been to dinner with Bryan Murray (RIP). I’ve been fortunate to have hung out with a lot of guys who were part of the team over the years. Emery, Heatley, Phillips, Bonk, Tugnutt, I even got deked out of my jockstrap once by Rob Murphy at a senior tournament in Shawville many years ago.
The point of all this rambling is that the Senators have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I intend on keeping it that way for as long as I can.
And I just went five paragraphs without once mentioning the owner.
It’s the eve of the draft lottery. I’m saying that because I’m sure that Chirp will have his own post to make on the day that this fateful event takes place. This site is his baby, and I’m not going to steal his thunder.
I just wanted to take a moment and make a request.
Can we PLEASE, collectively, as a group and community, agree to not once discuss the goblin owner of this hockey team as we proceed through the lottery. If this thing lands in our favour, celebrate. If it doesn’t, get pissed off. But focus only on the lottery and what it brings, and don’t make it about him this time.
Look at it this way. The top nine players in this draft are, in no particular order:
Lafreniere, Byfield, Stutzle, Drysdale, Raymond, Holtz, Sanderson, Perfetti, Rossi.
…and two of those guys will end up in this organization. That’s actually insane. The worst case scenario from the lottery is actually worth celebrating. Ottawa will add the top two prospects in their system at this draft, no matter the lottery balls fall. I would personally love it if the focus of discussion in the wake of the lottery was on which prospects we think will get picked by Dorion and his crew. Even if we have to moan about bad lottery luck, I’ll take that discussion any day over literally anything to do with the owner.
I think it would do the community a world of good if we could try super hard to avoid anything to do with him and instead get back to what this is actually about, a hockey team that we all presumably care about to some degree.
So on draft lottery eve, I think we should all try to focus on the Senators team that will be on the ice in the near future and forget about the goon whose name is on the ownership documents.
This is just a suggestion from a lifetime fan to all of you, let’s try to get back to what actually matters.
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WRITTEN BY-PaV
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be light and fun, so please take it that way. I am also trying to pick on beers that are available at Ottawa Breweries. A lot of these businesses have incurred an incredible amount of debt during this pandemic, so I thought it would be nice to do something local and readily available.
One More Sleep!
It’s here. It’s finally here. The day that us SENS fans have been waiting for. This is a defining moment for the Senators organization and one that will impact us for years to come.
It’s been a hard few seasons for us SENS fans. The organization itself, players leaving, people getting fired and so many other issues that make even the most diehard fan take a step back.
But today’s post is all about tomorrow. This is about what beers to drink before, during and after.
Before: Beyond the Pale, Clean Cut – Kölsch 4.8%
What better way to kick off the night that a pallet cleanser? This German inspired Kölsch will help wash away the last few years of being a SENS fan. This beer is clean, crisp and at 4.8% goes down way too easy. Having a few of these prior to the night starting will help get you in the mood for the draft lottery. Heck, after a few, you may even be excited to see Bettman on TV.
Middle: Tooth and Nail, Tenacity, Pale Ale 5.5%
This beer is delicious. It’s a slight step up in ABV than the Clean Cut, but still low enough to allow you to keep your senses while the draft lottery is starting. Also, the name reminds me of how the SENS played most of their games this year, always in it and always gave it their all.
Small Pony Barrel Works, Half Remembered Dream, Sour 5.0%
Sorry TCharger; but I love sours. This a barrel-aged sour and best served chilled. While drinking it you can think back to when the SENS were actually good. When we were one double overtime goal away from the finals or how amazing that run was. It feels so long ago but our dreams are about to be fulfilled with this year’s draft.
They just announced the sequence of the picks. The SENS have two picks in the top five. It’s what we have been waiting for. You need to celebrate and cap the night off with something that you can drink slow and savour every minute of this moment.
End: Dominion City, Lost Train Oatmeal Stout 5.6%
What better way to cap off this historical, organization changing night than to pour a thick creamy stout? Some can say its almost as black as Melynk’s heart… I kid kid. Drink at almost room temperature and enjoy the tasting notes of chocolate and coffee.
2020 has been messed up thus far. I hope that this post made you smile and laugh at how silly it is.
Contest Time: The first 25 positive comments from posters will be entered in to a random draw. A name will be picked, and they can choose one of the breweries above and I will purchase a 6 pack of beer (and six from Chirp!) which will be waiting for them at the brewery.
Enjoy tomorrow night. Stay safe. Be good to others.
Cheers
Pav
