Posted by Roy Mlakar on April 28, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

For hockey fans, this is the most exciting time of the year, especially if your team is still playing for the coveted Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh is alive again like it was in the days of Mario Lemieux and a young Jaromir Jagr in the early '90s. Pens sweaters are everywhere and the downtown there is electric.

The New York Rangers are back to being the talk of the "Big Apple." Madison Square Garden is electrifying again and thoughts of a run to the Cup that last was held by Mark Messier in 1994. With the super pest Sean Avery, solid goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist and vets like Jagr, Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka, they have the firepower, especially with Scott Gomez and Chris Drury added to the list.

Montreal and Philly have quite the series going, with each team showing great resilience and taking turns exposing opposing netminders in the battle. Both buildings are crazy with excitement and notable "tough barns" for the opposition under the best of circumstances.

Now in the West, Dallas has proven to be the hottest team of all in the post-season. Not only did they beat the defending champion Ducks in rapid fashion, they have taken both home games in San Jose to have an early 2-0 lead in that series.

Finally, the high-flying Wings have used home-ice advantage to their liking by taking a 2-0 lead over the injury riddled Avalanche. Peter Forsberg has yet to make an appearance and they have bumps and bruises to their back line that have exposed them to the speed of the Red Wings.

Enjoy the next several weeks, as at this point any of the eight teams still alive has a chance. Or in reality, do they? You make the call!

Posted by Roy Mlakar on April 14, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

As we approach the "home-ice advantage" for Games 3 and 4 vs. the Penguins, one has to look no further than the "Red Mile" and the advantage the Calgary Flames got from their great home audience in Game 3 at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Sunday night.

The Flames came out of the tunnel to a huge "Sea of Red" and a thunderous ovation by their faithful.  Then Calgary quickly spotted the favoured Sharks a three-goal lead, chasing netminder Miikka Kiprusoff, who had been stellar all year long. What did the Flames faithful do? They gave their club a huge ovation, urging them on. "Our coach, Mike Keenan, told me the crowd was critical to the win," commented Flames president Ken King.  "If anybody ever thought the crowd as a seventh man was a cliché, forget about It. They are your most important assets." 

"Our crowd has been great in the playoffs traditionally," said captain Daniel Alfredsson.  "Scotiabank Place is a great place to play and our run last year was so exciting." NOW is certainly the time for the fans to help... Remember BE Loud, BE Proud, This is YOUR TEAM!

And enjoy the outdoor activities at SBP.

Posted by Roy Mlakar on March 20, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

While all eyes in the U.S. usually turn to the NCAA Basketball Tournament at this time of year, hockey fans have their own “tourney” to follow with most teams having only 10 or fewer games to play in the NHL season. The battle in both the Eastern and Western Conference has more than 10 teams still within striking range of a playoff berth.

Commissioner Gary Bettman, who now hosts a daily radio show afternoons on XM satellite radio (channel 204), said last week the “competitive balance” in the NHL has added much more significance to the regular season and has increased fan interest across North America. Mr. Bettman also takes phone calls from fans across the continent and provides candid and up-front answers to just about any question posed to him. It's a good listen, especially during our own “March Madness” in the NHL.

But don't think hockey players don’t pay attention to the hoops madness, as I am sure “brackets” are popular in most dressing rooms. But come on Dany Heatley, did you really pick Wisconsin to win it all in basketball? Oh, that just has to be a sentimental alumni pick.

I hope, anyway!

Posted by Roy Mlakar on February 26, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

Funny how things go full circle in this business.  General Manager Bryan Murray dug back into his past to bring a proven winner , Martin Lapointe, in for the stretch drive and to add playoff experience at the trading deadline. It was Murray who drafted Martin when he was GM  of the Red Wings in 1991 coming out of Laval of the QMJHL.

Getting the 5"11, 210-lb., 37 year old veteran right-winger,  who has experienced winning a Cup as well as being a  captain, was important for Murray. "I have always respected what Marty brings to the team on and off the ice,"  said Bryan.  "He is a leader, works very hard, has grit in his game and will help us for sure," added the Senators' GM.

Nine times, Lapointe has scored double-digit goals in a season with his high being 27 in 2000. After nine seasons as a Red Wing and three as a Bruin, Martin spent the last two seasons with Chicago,  part of which as Captain of the Blackhawks.  That accomplishment, in addition to the fact he celebrated multiple Cups in Detroit , could be just the right addition now come "crunch time." 

Posted by Roy Mlakar on February 25, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

Just when the pundits were ready to bury the Sens and the team was gazing up at a 3-0 deficit in the second period in Pittsburgh, the Captain"and company had other ideas.  Now it's history as Alfie netted the winner with just three seconds left in overtime, capping a comeback from a three-goal deficit .

"We had a jump in our skates at practice yesterday," commented the happy captain. "Games like that are fun, when everyone comes together and you surprise the other team ."

Now, of course, the challenge is a very busy schedule in March with 14 games, of which only five  will be played in the friendly confines of Scotiabank Place. Plus the team will go on a long five-game (in six days) West Coast swing, all of them against tough opponents. The opener  March 3 in Anaheim  will be a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup  final and the first time the teams have faced off since the Ducks won that Cup last June.

With perhaps as many as 28 clubs in play for a playoff berth, the stretch drive is going to be exciting. Can you say "competitive balance?"

Posted by Roy Mlakar on February 7, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

82 games is a long season...  for everybody, from  management to the coaching staff to all the daily workers  at  Scotiabank Place.

Lately, the common theme of pundits has been the loss of the big lead in the Eastern Conference and the "self imposed" goaltending situation to the overdramatic coverage of post - practice player comments to members of the media.

"Stuff happens" when you have the luxury of having 15 players on your roster (more than any other NHL team) that you have drafted and cultivated into a winning unit. Hockey  management has done a superb job in keeping a majority of its key components in place despite a  salary cap  system that is not conducive to  maintaining a stable roster from year to year.

Now, with free agency coming as early as 25 (as opposed to former system at 31), it makes life very difficult for  general  managers to plan long term.

Then we come to injuries... the "bug-a-boo" for every team in sports. Now the story comes out that Tom Brady of the formerly unbeaten  New England Patriots really had  a high ankle sprain in the Super Bowl.   And one can only imagine how that type of injury would hurt the many time All-Pro top QB in the NFL. Such is the case with a hip flexor ailment for Sens  captain,  all - star , and all-around team catalyst Daniel Alfredsson. Four nights after scoring a team -record seven points against Tampa Bay  on Jan. 24, Daniel re-injured the area  on the Island against the Islanders.  But with Dany Heatley coming back early from  his  shoulder injury and Patrick Eaves starting to get some relief in his neck/shoulder area, the team is not far from featuring a healthy lineup. For fans and players alike , the timing could not be better as we head down the stretch drive for the playoffs.

On another note, congrats to VP and  exec utive  director Tom Conroy as Scotiabank Place is among the top 25 busiest building in the world according to the latest ticket-selling report by Pollstar, the industry's most respected authority of building activity.  These figures do not even include Senators ticket sales ,  which are now  fourth-highest in the NHL  --  a number that represents the highest the franchise has ever achieved. The Senators now have hosted an average of over 19,700 per game and enjoyed 24 sellouts, including  20 in a row.

Among the big names coming to town in March include the  Final 8 CIS  basketball   tournament  on March 14-16:  Foo Fighters on March 19 ; Carrie Underwood on March 21: Lenny Kravitz on March 24: Martina McBride on March 29 and , of course , five big Senators contests including a big meeting with Sidney Crosby on Saturday afternoon March 1 and the last meeting with Toronto on Saturday, March 22. 
See you at the rink . 

Posted by Roy Mlakar on January 17, 2008 in Roy Mlakar

Any player who tells the media he doesn't want to play in an all-star game, after either being selected by the fans or the NHL hierarchy, is a loser. An all-star appointment provides any player with more than just an "honour" but also with credibility among his peers.

"I love going to play in the game," commented four-time selection and Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson. "It's not only fun to play with the best players, but to be on the "stage" in front of all hockey fans in North America. Alfie will start the game as the first Senator ever selected by the fans. He also will be flanked by two of the game's best in Alexandre Ovechkin and Sydney Crosby. "Playing with those guys will be fun too, especially in the starting line-up," said Daniel. Actually, until star forward Dany Heatley got hurt last week, Heatley was joining the captain and Jason Spezza on the team. Re-uniting those three would have been a fun option for Eastern Conference coach John Paddock.

Spezza also is excited about his first all-star game. "Sure, it's an honour," said the young centre. "Everybody has told me that not only is it a challenge, but a lot of fun to play with the best players in the world. Would have really liked Heater to play as the three of us might have gotten a few shifts together(maybe)," said Spezza.

So the "challenge" is scheduled for Sunday night on Jan. 27 in Atlanta. CBC will cover all the action and, as always, expect a high-scoring, highly skilled event. And, as always, it will be FUN to watch!

Posted by Roy Mlakar on December 21, 2007 in Roy Mlakar

So when you look around the room, it's obvious what the players are hoping to find under their tree this year.

Mike Fisher … two new front teeth, to replace the ones that were removed from the head-butt courtesy of Carolina forward Scott Walker.

Anton Volchenkov is asking for his broken pinky to finally heal as he has begun his skating efforts last week along with Patrick Eaves, who looks to heal his shoulder dislocation.

Now as for other requests ... Jason Spezza hopes fans like his new Play Station hockey game as many fans marvel at the "true to life" images and improvements.

Dean McAmmond is just happy to have all his healthy family enjoy the holidays in the same house here "at home" in Ottawa, while Dany Heatley has his mom, dad and brother here to join him at the festive time of the year.

But for the most part, with games two days before and one day after Christmas Day, most of the team just will not have a significant time to celebrate.

Welcome to the NHL!

Have a great holiday from all of us here at the Senators’ home.

Posted by Roy Mlakar on December 17, 2007

About a month ago, Nick Foligno was told he was being sent down to Binghamton of the AHL. While he understood he would get more playing time and the added ice time would be good for him, I am sure Nick would have rather stayed here and enjoyed all the benefits of the "big-time" experience the rookie was experiencing since making the jump from Sudbury of the OHL.

On his way out the door, the classy son of ex-NHL superstar and current Sudbury Wolves coach Mike Foligno, thanked everybody in a number of offices with a smile and said "I will be back." Little did he know it would happen in less than two weeks.

After getting in a handful of games with the Baby Sens, Nick came back to quickly score a goal in his first week back against the Florida Panthers, a victory which started the Senators on their current five-game winning streak. Since that recall, on Nov. 27, he has fit right in seamlessly on the left wing with Mike Fisher and captain Daniel Alfredsson. 

Now with Fisher out, along with Patrick Eaves and Anton Volchenkov, Nick will undoubtedly get even more playing time and the challenge from coach John Paddock to step up his game along with his teammates. The bottom line is ... Nick does not want to say goodbye again!

Posted by Roy Mlakar on November 19, 2007 in Roy Mlakar

I am sure when Nick Foligno got the word last week that he was going to Binghamton, he wasn't overjoyed. But every player should start their career in the AHL, with the numerous challenges its presents and games it offers to hone one's skills.

Some of my fondest memories of starting my career were in Cleveland with the old Barons at 19 years old, selling tickets. Later I got the chance to become merchandising manager and last public relations and marketing exec with the Providence Reds. Finally, I moved up the ladder and for 10 years, was president and general manager of the New Haven Nighthawks.

There were bus rides aplenty. Shortest trip one hour to Springfield to meet the Indians and longest to Halifax to meet the Voyageurs. That sweet trip was over 14 hours. After that journey, we faced the challenge of meeting the Canadiens' top affiliate and the likes of a Larry Robinson and the stellar netminding of Ken Dryden.

I remember, like it was yesterday, watching Fred Glover and Bill Needham, two institutions in Barons hockey history. Then the likes of Rick Middleton scoring 50 in Providence, before he went on to a great career with the Rangers and later the Bruins. In New Haven was now-Sherwood Stick executive Claude Larose, doing the same 50 like Middleton. He was great around the net. And how could I not recall Frank "Never" Beaton and the toughness of Dave "The Real Killer" Hanson with the Adirondack Red Wings. But I bet nobody remembers Johnny Bower got his start in the AHL in Cleveland.

There is an old saying, "There are very few Gretzkys, Trottiers and Bossys of the world."  The American Hockey League is where almost everyone got their start. Managers and coaches, too. Just ask John Paddock and general manager Bryan Murray.

We are all better off for it! Nick Foligno included. Don't worry Nick, you will be back.