FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Ain’t. Dead. Yet. Thanks to a burst of energy from Tyler Kleven and then an incredible play to keep the puck in by Jake Sanderson and then a quick wrist shot by that same Jake Sanderson and then a timely screen by Fabian Zetterland and then a quick prayer from SensChirp and then a moment of reprieve from the hockey gods, the Ottawa Senators are alive and kickin’. With their season on the line in Game 4 on Saturday night, the Sens did what they always do – they just found a way. It wasn’t pretty and it was the furthest thing imaginable from a “stress-free performance” but the Senators live to fight another day.
-A moment of appreciation for Sens fans. The last two games at the Canadian Tire Centre have been another good reminder that this fan base is among the best in the National Hockey League and it’s just a damn shame we haven’t had many chances to show the rest of the hockey world in the last decade or so. Thursday night’s Game 3 was just completely unhinged. A burst of energy that was eight years in the making. Saturday night was something a little different. Even with way more blue in the rink, it was Sens fans that carried the day. Even with our season on the line and our collective backs against the wall and the Leafs pushing us to the brink, it was Sens fans that made all the noise. It cannot be understated how impressive that is and how difficult it can be to bring that kind of energy when your season is on the line. Just an incredible performance.
-The Senators didn’t need to win four games last night. They just needed one. Not just to give those fans I mentioned above a moment of relief but for a couple days, to plant that seed of doubt in the minds of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And make no mistake – that seed has been planted. It doesn’t take much to expose those demons come playoff time and now for the next two days, the Leafs are left to stew on that “Not again…” line of thinking that has a way of creeping up on them this time of the year. All the pressure in the world on them now and the Senators are playing with house money. The Toronto media will spend the next two days picking away at those demons and asking the questions the Leafs and their fans are already asking themselves. I heard it from a few of them on the way out too. They’re worried.
-And now a moment of appreciation for the Ottawa penalty kill. On a night and in a series where the margins are razor thin, it was the effort on the penalty kill that ended up being the difference in Game 4. A shorthanded goal by Shane Pinto in the first period and then an almost unimaginable four-minute kill in the overtime, with their season on the line. When that 4:00 minutes flashed up on the scoreboard, it really didn’t even cross my mind that the game might continue beyond that double minor. But full credit to the Senators for just finding a way to kill that thing off. Again, it wasn’t pretty but they just battled with everything they had left in the tank and got it done. A real gutsy effort.
-And now, a moment of appreciation for Emma. My seven-year old daughter had a chance to attend her first playoff game last night and even though the amount of snacks we consumed was on another level and even though it drifted WELL beyond her bedtime and even though we spent another hour watching highlights when we got home, she really brought it last night. Over the years, Sens fandom has taught me the importance of appreciating the moments along the way. Ultimately, the goal is championships but if you limit it to those things, you’ll miss all the best stuff. Having a chance to show Emma playoff hockey for the first time in her young life and to celebrate an overtime winner with her is honestly right up there on my list of moments. Consensus seems to be that we’re heading to Toronto too because I think Emma may have been the difference.
Post-Game Interviews
Advance Stats
Boxscore
