SensChirp. Stop. You don’t have to do this.
I know there’s a shortage of things to write about during the month of August but you’re taking it too far. Maybe another prediction post? Maybe a trade rumour? Maybe just take the day off and spend some time with your family?
Anything but this…
For some reason on an otherwise delightful summer evening in late August, I found myself in the depressing part of YouTube. It usually starts with an obscure video like that infuriating empty net goal Calle Johansson scored back in 1998. And then my eyes start to wander to the right side of the page. And other moments in Ottawa Senators’ history begin to reveal themselves.
And then because it’s August and there really isn’t a whole lot to write about, I get an absolutely awful idea for a blog post.
I’m not really sure what my criteria for the worst is but as I combed through the team’s twenty some years of history, the top five actually seemed surprisingly obvious. Each one of these games was awful in it’s own unique way. Watching the old YouTube clips brought back terrible childhood memories just as I’m sure they will for you too.
In some ways, I think this post will be sort of therapeutic. In other ways, it will make me wanna throw my computer out the window. I think it’s important to remember these awful games from time to time, just so we appreciate the good times a little more. Or something like that.
This post will be left on the site for 24 hours and then will be deleted forever. Because if it’s there, I know I’ll go back to it. This post is not safe for work. Hell, it’s not safe for anywhere.
This is your chance to look away. You have been warned.
I present to you, the five worst games in Ottawa Senators’ history.
5. Game 5 of the 2005/2006 Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Buffalo Sabres
The only non-Game 7 on the list. This one stings because the 2005/2006 team was just so damn good. Probably the best in franchise history, actually. It stings because it brings back memories of Dominik Hasek and his stupid adductor muscle. And it stings because of the way it ended. Daniel Alfredsson would have his revenge the very next season but this goal caused parts of the fan base to turn on Alfie a little bit. I was at this game and I swear every time I’m in the Canadian Tire Centre, I can still hear the ghostly sound of thousands of those stupid thunder sticks popping as they did in the seconds that followed this OT winner. Poke check, Emery!
4. Game 6 of the 2001/2002 Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
There are times when I think I’m over the whole Battle of Ontario thing. And then I think back to early 2000’s and my blood starts to boil. The rivalry is pretty lame these days but it wasn’t always that way. At first I had Game 7 from this series at number four and then a review of the highlights from Game 6 reminded me how much worse that home ice loss really was. The early 2-0 lead. The five minute penalty to Ricard Persson. The Senators laid an egg in Game 7 but Game 6 was especially soul-crushing.
3. Game 7 of the 2003/2004 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Say Joe Nieuwendyk’s name in a crowded Sens’ bar and there’s a good chance you’ll get slapped upside the head. Say it to Patrick Lalime and you’d probably get the same treatment. The fourth and final (yes, final) playoff loss at the hands of the Leafs was probably the most painful. Number two and number one on this list are the most disappointing. This game was the most infuriating. I still don’t understand how those shots went in but I know that since 2004, I never assume any save will be made by any Ottawa Senators’ goalie. There was permanent damage done to my confidence in goalies that night.
2. Game 7 of the 1996-1997 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal vs. Buffalo Sabres
There was a hole in his glove, right? I mean, there had to be. Only explanation. Maybe it’s because it brings back memories of a 12 year old version of myself watching Derek Plante end the Senators’ season but I found that this video instantly brought me to near tears. The shot of all the players trying to comfort Tugnutt after the goal is just heartbreaking. The only consolation here is the fact that Plante gives one of the worst sports interviews of all time in the moments following the goal. Still, this one hurts.
1. Game 7 of the 2002/2003 Eastern Conference Final vs. New Jersey Devils
What was Redden doing? Why does Havlat let up on the back check? What happened to Patrick Lalime’s right pad? Nothing but unanswered questions and soul-crushing disappointment. The Senators made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 but the fact is, 2002/2003 was as close as they ever came to a Stanley Cup. It’s been 12 years and this clip, this moment still hurts more than any other in Senators’ history. Watch this clip at your own risk.
So did I get it right? Any horrible memories you’d like to add to the list? It’s okay. Take all the time you need. This wasn’t easy for me either.
Actually, this was a terrible idea…just watch these.
