In the depths of a seemingly endless stretch of hot summer days without Sens hockey anywhere in sight, the two words echoed around in my mind.
They gave me hope that in the not too distant future, the sport and the team I love might come back to me. That if I could just hold out a little bit longer, I might finally have a chance to yell out those two words we’ve all been longing to hear…
MELNYK SELLS!
Not yet, apparently. So those other two words will have to do for now.
GAME DAY!
It has been 164 days since we last lay eyes on our beloved hockey team.
That night, they lost 6-2 to Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and the rest of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brian Gibbons had an assist for the Sens. Last year was so odd.
The good news I can say with relative confidence that this year could potentially be better. And you can take that to the bank! And unlike Eugene Melnyk, I’m good for it.
Where was I…right…hockey. Hockey is back!
The Ottawa Senators kick off their preseason tonight in beautiful St. John’s, Newfoundland. The opposition- the team that the Boston Bruins will beat in the first round of the playoffs in just seven months from now. Now featuring more long-term, cap-crippling contracts than ever.
And Cody Ceci too!
The Senators will play a total of six preseason games before things start for real on October 2nd. Still a lot to be decided before then.
Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith have both let it be known that there are roster spots there for the taking in this year’s Camp. Maybe three up front and a couple more on defence.
That means these preseason games take on extra significance.
The Senators will send a total of 25 players to the Rock for this one with as many as seven of them considered to be on that big team bubble.
Meanwhile, Jason Spezza is the Leafs second line centre tonight. So there’s that.
Here is how DJ Smith will line ’em up tonight based on line combinations at the morning skate.
Duclair-Pageau-Batherson
Formenton-Norris-Abramov
Rodewald-Tierney-Balcers
Kelly-Beaudin-Scherwey
Brannstrom-DeMelo
Lajoie-Ebert
Englund-Goloubef
Anders Nilsson is expected to get the start in goal.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 5:30 PM so hustle home.
The game is available on TSN4 and TSN5.
