It is a day Sens fans have dreamed about for years.
The hype and anticipation surrounding a moment like this is basically unmatched. Rarely does sports fandom allow you an opportunity like the one we have been given. Even in our wildest dreams, it was difficult to imagine this scenario playing out.
But after days, months and even years of anticipation and thousands upon thousands of comments, it’s finally, FINALLY here.
Cody Ceci makes his debut with another team. And that team is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even as I type the words, it’s hard to believe.
And it happens tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Just kidding, Cody. Welcome home!
The Ottawa Senators play the second of six preseason games against the very same Leafs they beat last night in Newfoundland. Well, same logo anyway. The actual players involved will be almost entirely different.
The Sens came away with the win in their preseason opener but it was mostly a quiet night for most of the bubble guys.
Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Alex Formenton, Rudolfs Balcers and Vitaly Abramov were all a little sluggish. Erik Brannstrom had some good moments on the back end but was probably outplayed by another young left shot defenceman in Max Lajoie.
Anthony Duclair was pretty clearly the best player on the ice for either team and the duo of Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg looked sharp in goal.
We’ll see who stands out for Ottawa tonight.
Here is how the Senators are expected to line up for this one. The forward group includes three of the bubble guys on the same line in Nick Paul, Logan Brown and Max Veronneau.
Tkachuk-White-Brown
Ennis-Anisimov-Ryan
Paul-Brown-Veronneau
Carcone-Szwarz-Sabourin
Chabot-Guennette
Borowiecki-Jaros
Murray-Hainsey
Notable absence here is Nikita Zaitsev, who obviously didn’t want to steal any of Ceci’s spotlight in his homecoming.
Craig Anderson is expected to play the first two periods with Filip Gustavsson coming in for the save.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM. You can catch the game on TSN4 and TSN5.
Cody Ceci plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs now.
