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Posted by Roy Mlakar on October 5, 2007 Opening nights are special! They only happen once every year and players always get up for opening nights.They struggle with a long training camp and meaningless pre-season games that, while they are important for conditioning,always carry the possibility of getting hurt and missing the opener (see Dean McAmmond).
The crowd always arrives early. They don't want to miss the ambience of the night --- the plaza party, the light show and introduction of the players and this year, the raising of the Eastern Conference championship banner.
Every team is tied for first place before the opener and everybody thinks they will be in the playoffs. And every team has a right to that claim and should all have faith that their team will be competing for Lord Stanley's precious silver mug.
Our Senators are no different. Recently, I had dinner with Dany Heatley at the Bell Sens Golf Classic and he noted how exciting it is to star with "back to back" tilts with the Leafs. "Love playing in the "Big Smoke" with all the media attention on national TV," Dany noted.
For the Leafs, the media has circled around their two goaltenders and who Paul Maurice is going to end up starting. While time will tell, many pundits have suggested he may just rotate his tandem. In the meantime, it's another challenge for big Mats Sundin and the surrounding pressures that come with playing in Toronto in front of what they refer to as "Leafs Nation."
One should always keep in mind that "openers" are memories and many are cherished. Enjoy them when you get the chance to be a part of one.
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I used to live in Ottawa (~40 years) but now live in Matheson, in Northern Ontario. I was at the Senators very first game; love the team but my big gripe is that CBC blacks out week night games in Northern Ontario. Can the Senator's front office do something about this?
Posted by: Mike Milinkovich | October 14, 2007 at 07:07 AM
Hi Mr Mlakar!
I was at the home opener and like you said, it was awesome. The raising banner gave me chills and it was so nice to have the feeling of hockey back. The team is doing great with 5 wins in 6 games, and I'm really enjoying every minute of it.
I was dissapointed to see that the game tonight is not broadcasted on any TV station. As much as I like Dean Brown on the Team 1200, it would be great if Sens Army would get their own SensTV, with all the Sens games broadcasted on it. Sens fans would be really happy to have their own channel; this fan base is getting bigger and bigger. Just a suggestion that I hope will be considered.
Good luck this season and...
Go Sens Go!
Posted by: Julie | October 13, 2007 at 02:08 PM
Mr. Mlakar,
We, your loyal Senators fans are disappointed in the Television schedule year after year, We were wondering if there is any plans of creating a SENSTV? Have you considered this? If so, How soon???? We are tired of missing out of town games. WE LOVE OUR SENS!!!
Posted by: Kathie | October 13, 2007 at 01:54 PM
I have always liked how the arena feels like a second home (with 20,000 of my closest friends), but I do have a pressing question for the front office.
When it comes to our broadcast schedule, how come October and March typically have a lot of important games unaired?
Additionally, I was wondering if, with the recent explosion in fanbase and support, the Senators will make a bid for an Ottawa only Television station? The cost of running one I understand would be phenomenal, but surely the rate for it per month could be reasonable through Rogers and Bell to compensate. This could provide content such as the unaired games in Canada that are otherwise blacked out for Leafs and Habs games on CentreICE, as well as a new forum for the Pay Per View games to be more controlled by the organization and even feature games from the B-Sens perhaps?
If we had our own dedicated channel I would definitely sign up for it. Missing 17% of the games this year because of PPV or otherwise unaired shows (especially those games in March) is just insane.
Posted by: Will Samuel | October 13, 2007 at 01:53 PM
As always, The Senators is a First Class organization that treats their fans to First Class entertainment.
The Players the Organization make it so easy to be a proud member of the Sens Army year after year.
Thank you and Keep up the good work!
Go Sens Go!
Posted by: Melanie | October 09, 2007 at 11:59 AM
great post Mr. Mlakar- I agree on opening night ambiance. I haven't missed one in nine years now.You might remember me, I was the one with a few friends holding the "Prince of Wails" sign, in deference to the Maple Leafs, as we walked by you and Dan Seguin. Another fantastic opener. Keep up the good work on the presidential side of things!
Posted by: Greg Gallagher | October 07, 2007 at 10:25 PM
..and what a wonderful opening night it was!! Great job with everything as usual and I actually was very hoarse at the end of the night for all the screaming I did, but it was well worth it. Glad to hear you back on Sunday Best with The Franchise and The Angry One! (miss your "Rant" on Team 1200)
Posted by: Shirly Caibaiosai | October 07, 2007 at 06:20 PM