Today is hockey day in Canada a day in which we as Canadians celebrate our love and passion for a sport that was born in Canada and means so much to people like myself. The long cold winters we have in Canada provided us with the ice and conditions and over the years it has bonded Canadians together. Myself like many other Canadians eat, sleep and breath hockey. Across the country today from the east coast to the west coast of Canada from the the outdoor rinks in small towns to the NHL arenas in bigger city's Canadians will be celebrating the game that we love.
CBC has a triple header of hockey games that will be played today involving six of the Canadian teams. The first game at two o'clock in the afternoon involves the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators. I am fortunate enough to be spending hockey day in Canada at Scotiabank place to watch the Senators play. There will be a ceremony before the game to honor Chris Phillips who played in his 1000Th NHL game as an Ottawa Senator on Thursday evening vs the Nashville Predators. Phillips not known for his goal scoring but rather his solid defensive play scored his first goal of the year and then added his second which turned out to be the game winner. Phillips is only the second Ottawa Senator to play 1000 games for the organization and is only the 25Th player in league history to play 1000 games for one organization.
So for this hockey day in Canada i will be celebrating not only the best sport in the world but a true Ottawa Senator in Chris Phillips. Happy hockey day in Canada to everyone and Remember Praise Phillips.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Monday, 6 February 2012
NO DEAL!
I could start off by talking about all the crappy refereeing that the Senators have endured during there latest 6 game losing streak but to non- Sens fans it will just come off as whining. I will take the high road and DIVE right into another topic.
With NHL trade deadline day looming and though they are on a six game losing streak the Ottawa Senators are still in the race to win a playoff spot in the eastern conference. For a team that was penciled in to be sellers at the beginning of the year, will the Sens make a splash at the deadline now that they have the options to be buyers? The answer should be NOOOO! If anything this six game losing streak has shown that the Senators are still a team in rebuild mood, they may be a step a head of where they thought they would be but it would be catastrophic to the organization for them to trade away the future for a rental player.
There have been many rental players who have come and gone and we have yet to see the cup come to Ottawa. There has been Oleg Freakin Saprykin who spent his time in Ottawa split between the stands and the forth line, and he cost the team a second round draft pick. who could forget Tyler Arnason from the 2006 run. He cost us another second round pick and Brendon Boychenski and he was even worse then Saprykin. He came to Ottawa out of shape and spent the playoffs watching from the stands, WHAT A BUST!!! In 2004 there was Peter Bondra, this one hurts a little because it cost the Sens prospect Brooks Laich who is now a decent player with the Washington Capitals.
I could go on with others but the point i am trying to make is it hasn't worked in the past when the Senators have had great cup contending teams,and it is NOT going to work now. Let the rebuild continue. Bryan Murray needs to keep stock piling the youth in the organization and if the Sens win the cup with the guys they have now that would be amazing, if not at least we can look forward to great young players like Mika Zibanejad, Mark Stone, Matt Puempel, Stefan Noesen and Jakob Silverberg competing for spots on the roster in the near future. With this plan the Senators can become a real contender as the team builds and grows together. So stick with the present plan of action and the Stanley Cup will be in Ottawa sooner then later.
And Remember Praise ALFIE
With NHL trade deadline day looming and though they are on a six game losing streak the Ottawa Senators are still in the race to win a playoff spot in the eastern conference. For a team that was penciled in to be sellers at the beginning of the year, will the Sens make a splash at the deadline now that they have the options to be buyers? The answer should be NOOOO! If anything this six game losing streak has shown that the Senators are still a team in rebuild mood, they may be a step a head of where they thought they would be but it would be catastrophic to the organization for them to trade away the future for a rental player.
There have been many rental players who have come and gone and we have yet to see the cup come to Ottawa. There has been Oleg Freakin Saprykin who spent his time in Ottawa split between the stands and the forth line, and he cost the team a second round draft pick. who could forget Tyler Arnason from the 2006 run. He cost us another second round pick and Brendon Boychenski and he was even worse then Saprykin. He came to Ottawa out of shape and spent the playoffs watching from the stands, WHAT A BUST!!! In 2004 there was Peter Bondra, this one hurts a little because it cost the Sens prospect Brooks Laich who is now a decent player with the Washington Capitals.
I could go on with others but the point i am trying to make is it hasn't worked in the past when the Senators have had great cup contending teams,and it is NOT going to work now. Let the rebuild continue. Bryan Murray needs to keep stock piling the youth in the organization and if the Sens win the cup with the guys they have now that would be amazing, if not at least we can look forward to great young players like Mika Zibanejad, Mark Stone, Matt Puempel, Stefan Noesen and Jakob Silverberg competing for spots on the roster in the near future. With this plan the Senators can become a real contender as the team builds and grows together. So stick with the present plan of action and the Stanley Cup will be in Ottawa sooner then later.
And Remember Praise ALFIE
Friday, 13 January 2012
Well we have reached the midway point of the 2011/2012 NHL season and WOW what a season it has been so far. There have been no shortage of surprises and topics to talk about. As the ultimate Senators fan lets focus in on there season so far.
The Ottawa Senators Currently sit in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with 54 points in 45 games. They have a record of 24-15-4. If anybody were to tell me this at the beginning of the season I would have thought they were crazy! After a slow start and losing two games by a touchdown, early on the Senators have turned things around and have been playing above expectations. A team that was picked by many experts to finish last or among the bottom feeders of the NHL. Nobody must have sent them the memo because in this years model of the Senators there is no quit.
The Senators are 7-1-2 in there last 10 games and now have won three games in a row. Most recently beating the Eastern conference Leader the New York Rangers 3-0!!!
There Success can not fall on just one player but on the whole team and organization. Leading the charge is there 39 year old Captain Daniel Alfredsson who according to Penguins coach Dan Bylsma "Doesn't look at day older then 37". Alfredsson has 33 points in 39 games and seems to be rejuvenated playing alongside young players Eric Condra and newly acquired Kyle Turris. Jason Spezza is having his best season since the 2008-2009 season and has seemed to take on more of a leadership role being a mentor to his young teammates on and off the ice.He is also leading the charge offensively with 18 goals and 28 assists for a total of 46 points in 45 games. Milan Michalek has also been on a tear this year and is currently tied for third among all NHL players in goals with 23, one back of Phil Kessel and six back of the league leading Steven Stamkos. All three of these players have been voted into the NHL all star game along with there team mate and break out player of the year, 21 year old Swedish Sensation Eric Karlsson. Karlsson had a good sophomore season but nothing that compares to the year he is having this year. He leads all NHL Defensemen in points with 43 points in 44 games, 10 points more then the next closest defensemen Florida's Brian Campbell. Karlsson also received more fan votes to the all star game then any other player in the league. At such a young age he is already a super star and should receive a nomination for the Norris trophy for the leagues top defensmen.
The Ottawa Senators have also been receiving top notch goaltending as of late. With Craig Anderson making 34 saves for his first shutout of the Season on Tuesday Night verses the Rangers. Anderson's numbers were struggling at the begging but have risen with every month that has been played. He is second in wins with 22, he has played the most games out of any goaltender in the league, faced the most shots, made the most saves. With Anderson rounding into form the Senators playoff push is looking better and better after every game.
The Ottawa Senators have six players on there Roaster that won the Calder Cup last year with the Binghtom Senators. There youth and enthusiasm has seemed to really push the pace and light a spark under some of the veterans. Jared Cowen has been averaging just over 19 minutes of play and has been a rock on the Senators Defense all year round. Even chipping in offensively the odd time or two. Collin Greening has found a home on the top line for most of the year and is turning out to be a solid power forward. His North /South game has opened up time and space for both Spezza and Michalek. He was also just named to the NHL all star rookie team.Eric Condra has found chemistry on the Second line playing alongside Alfredsson and Turris. He seems to have the hockey smarts of a Chris Kelly and I believe in a couple of years he may be able to show more of an offensive side.Probably the biggest surprise has been the play of Zack Smith who has put up 12 goals and nine assists and has solidified the third line center position.
Bryan Murry has put together a great mix of young players and veterans, and the acquisition of Kyle Turris for David Runblad has seemed to work out well with Turris producing just under a point per game pace.
Murry finally has found a coach in which the team wants to play and produce for. Paul Maclean has implemented his system and has stressed skating and the team has seemed to embrace this . The team seems to have respect for Maclean and are willing to play hard for him. Maclean knows what it takes for a team to be successful and is a major reason the Senators are where they are in the standings.
So let the push for the playoffs begin, and with a young team which can only get better the sky is the limit. GO SENS GO!!!!!!
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Senators 2011/2012 season preview
Hi Ambassador fans,
Well........Our Ottawa Senators are in a rebuilding year. Which means expectations are low but our spirits
are HIGH ! We have some great young players who are literally still growing. Young guys like Da Costa,
Zibanejad,Cowen, and Runblad are stars in the making. This team is so young that Erik Karlsson who seems
like a veteran [ in his 3rd year ] is just 21 YEARS old ! So even though it will be a struggle this year, this team
is going to be fun to watch. In fact I was at their first home game last Tuesday night and The Bank was
rocking ! Chris Neil had a great game with a goal , assist , and some awesome hits including one on Heatley.
When Alfie scored in the shootout the arena erupted !
So we will hang in this year and cheer them on. NEVER GIVE UP !
Go Sens Go !!!! The Ambassador
Well........Our Ottawa Senators are in a rebuilding year. Which means expectations are low but our spirits
are HIGH ! We have some great young players who are literally still growing. Young guys like Da Costa,
Zibanejad,Cowen, and Runblad are stars in the making. This team is so young that Erik Karlsson who seems
like a veteran [ in his 3rd year ] is just 21 YEARS old ! So even though it will be a struggle this year, this team
is going to be fun to watch. In fact I was at their first home game last Tuesday night and The Bank was
rocking ! Chris Neil had a great game with a goal , assist , and some awesome hits including one on Heatley.
When Alfie scored in the shootout the arena erupted !
So we will hang in this year and cheer them on. NEVER GIVE UP !
Go Sens Go !!!! The Ambassador
I'M BAAAACCCCKKKKK!
Well, me and my family have moved back to Ottawa (home of the Sens) from London (where I supported Liverpool Football Club). I am ready, willing and able to start blogging again. Stay tuned, all you Hockey Ambassador fans!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Canadian Rugby Team visit
Today I got a special visit from Canada.
As you can see in the picture three spectacular players from the Canadian Rugby Team came to visit me.
I had such a good time.
I hope I can go to see them playing on Sunday at Twickenham.
Thanks guys for coming to see me.
Good luck on Sunday. I will be supporting you!
Go Canada Go!
Nick
Monday, 14 March 2011
Chara’s hit bring attention to Hockey violence:
“…the NHL’s quick and ineffective ruling on the Pacioretty Chara incident of last Tuesday is totally unacceptable, as it does nothing to try and reverse the alarming trend of vicious hits that have sidelined some of the games greatest talents”
So read the letter sent by Via rail to the NHL on Friday, threatening to pull their sponsorship, and they are not the first. On Wednesday, Air Canada’s chief executive also had a letter sent to the NHL threatening to pull their sponsorship and called on the NHL to “protect both the players and integrity of the game” before a “fatality” occurs. (11th March Globe and Mail)
Air Canada has gone quiet in the meanwhile (after the League lashed out at them) but this is only closing the stable door after the horse has bolted!
And the sponsors are not alone in their criticism. Even in Political circles, there has been a lot of talk concerning the level of violence and the number of concussions in the game. Many are also concerned about the example being set to young Hockey players.
An article by Ken Dryden, former Canadiens goaltender and current Canadian politician in Saturday’s Globe and Mail (12th March 2011) highlights the consequences of this problem. Dryden gives examples of several former NHL (Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert) and NFL players, who where found in post mortem autopsies to have suffered from Chronic-Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) a condition with Dementia like symptoms caused by frequent concussions and trauma to the head. Dryden feels that in this day and age it is unacceptable for this problem to be ignored and he feels the NHL should address the spate of head injuries.
An opportunity for this has arisen, cause as we are speaking NHL General Managers are having a weeklong meeting in Florida. One can only hope that they make this topic a priority on their discussion lists.
In the meanwhile players are continuing to make illegal and dangerous moves, and in my opinion, this was only to be expected after all the recent rule changes the NHL has made in recent years (especially the 48’s- see October 5th blog entry)
Solving this problem isn’t as simple as just changing the rules back though; the problem lies in the NHL itself. Bosses are trying to make the game faster to attract more viewers, and this is what it comes down to in the end. Hockey is being played purely for the purpose of making a profit and we are losing touch with the true meaning of the game.
“…the NHL’s quick and ineffective ruling on the Pacioretty Chara incident of last Tuesday is totally unacceptable, as it does nothing to try and reverse the alarming trend of vicious hits that have sidelined some of the games greatest talents”
So read the letter sent by Via rail to the NHL on Friday, threatening to pull their sponsorship, and they are not the first. On Wednesday, Air Canada’s chief executive also had a letter sent to the NHL threatening to pull their sponsorship and called on the NHL to “protect both the players and integrity of the game” before a “fatality” occurs. (11th March Globe and Mail)
Air Canada has gone quiet in the meanwhile (after the League lashed out at them) but this is only closing the stable door after the horse has bolted!
And the sponsors are not alone in their criticism. Even in Political circles, there has been a lot of talk concerning the level of violence and the number of concussions in the game. Many are also concerned about the example being set to young Hockey players.
An article by Ken Dryden, former Canadiens goaltender and current Canadian politician in Saturday’s Globe and Mail (12th March 2011) highlights the consequences of this problem. Dryden gives examples of several former NHL (Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert) and NFL players, who where found in post mortem autopsies to have suffered from Chronic-Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) a condition with Dementia like symptoms caused by frequent concussions and trauma to the head. Dryden feels that in this day and age it is unacceptable for this problem to be ignored and he feels the NHL should address the spate of head injuries.
An opportunity for this has arisen, cause as we are speaking NHL General Managers are having a weeklong meeting in Florida. One can only hope that they make this topic a priority on their discussion lists.
In the meanwhile players are continuing to make illegal and dangerous moves, and in my opinion, this was only to be expected after all the recent rule changes the NHL has made in recent years (especially the 48’s- see October 5th blog entry)
Solving this problem isn’t as simple as just changing the rules back though; the problem lies in the NHL itself. Bosses are trying to make the game faster to attract more viewers, and this is what it comes down to in the end. Hockey is being played purely for the purpose of making a profit and we are losing touch with the true meaning of the game.
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