Heartbroken but still Proud
Posted 9:43 AM ET | Comments 10
It’s a sad day in Sens land. The Ducks did to the Sens what the Sens had done to the Penguins, Devils and Sabres. The Ducks played their game and played in a way that made the Sens play in a way they didn’t want to. The Sens just couldn’t find a way to get back to the way they played in the first three rounds of the play-offs. They lost to a better team and there’s no shame in that.
As I watched Scott Neidermayer receiving the Conn Smythe my eyes burn with tears and I turned off the television and turned on the radio. Just can’t watch Neidermayer being handed the Cup. That could have been Alfredsson’s Con Smythe. That could have been Alfredsson lifting the Cup. But while I feel great sadness, I am also proud of my Ottawa Senators. And, after hearing the post-game show, I’m happy to hear that many other fans feel the same way.
If you had told me (and many other Sens fans) during October or November, that the Sens would not only make the play-offs but also make it to the Stanley Cup Final, we would of looked at you like you were crazy. But they turned things around and went into the play-offs ready to prove all their critics wrong. And, through the first three rounds, they did just that. Getting to the Stanley Cup Finals is still an accomplishment, and they will learn from the experience of losing.
The Sens played their hearts out, and players such as Fisher and Phillips gave us many reasons to be proud. But the player, I’m most proud of is Alfredsson, even though he did something really stupid in Game 4. Here was a guy who was known to work hard during the play-offs, but never getting the results. This year, he was tied for first in play-off points (22), first in goals (14), first in powerplay goals (6), and first in game winning goals (4). He was the Sens MVP in the play-offs. If only he could have the hardware to go with his most successful post-season.
I’m also proud of the Sens fans. We showed the hockey world that the fans in Ottawa aren’t quiet and boring. We showed such support for our team, with thousands of people celebrating in the downtown core and showing up at the airport to greet our team (BTW, their plane is suppose to touch down at 5:30 at the Ottawa Airport today). We made our boys proud of us, just like they made us proud of them.
So, hold your heads up high Sens fans. There’s no shame in losing to the Ducks. They deserved to win, as much as it hurts to admit it. Plus, there’s always next year, right?
As I watched Scott Neidermayer receiving the Conn Smythe my eyes burn with tears and I turned off the television and turned on the radio. Just can’t watch Neidermayer being handed the Cup. That could have been Alfredsson’s Con Smythe. That could have been Alfredsson lifting the Cup. But while I feel great sadness, I am also proud of my Ottawa Senators. And, after hearing the post-game show, I’m happy to hear that many other fans feel the same way.
If you had told me (and many other Sens fans) during October or November, that the Sens would not only make the play-offs but also make it to the Stanley Cup Final, we would of looked at you like you were crazy. But they turned things around and went into the play-offs ready to prove all their critics wrong. And, through the first three rounds, they did just that. Getting to the Stanley Cup Finals is still an accomplishment, and they will learn from the experience of losing.
The Sens played their hearts out, and players such as Fisher and Phillips gave us many reasons to be proud. But the player, I’m most proud of is Alfredsson, even though he did something really stupid in Game 4. Here was a guy who was known to work hard during the play-offs, but never getting the results. This year, he was tied for first in play-off points (22), first in goals (14), first in powerplay goals (6), and first in game winning goals (4). He was the Sens MVP in the play-offs. If only he could have the hardware to go with his most successful post-season.
I’m also proud of the Sens fans. We showed the hockey world that the fans in Ottawa aren’t quiet and boring. We showed such support for our team, with thousands of people celebrating in the downtown core and showing up at the airport to greet our team (BTW, their plane is suppose to touch down at 5:30 at the Ottawa Airport today). We made our boys proud of us, just like they made us proud of them.
So, hold your heads up high Sens fans. There’s no shame in losing to the Ducks. They deserved to win, as much as it hurts to admit it. Plus, there’s always next year, right?
They'll be back!GO SENS GO!!!! (After the Blues, of course...)
Nicely done. Evokes the emotional roller-coaster which is devotion to one's team. Eyes to the future!
Great blog Fluf, I feel the same way. If I lived in the Ottawa area I would definately be at the airport to send my congrats for the best season they have had. When I took my flag down last night after the game, for the first time it was not a hearbreaking disappointment. GO! SENS GO!
They'll be back right away. We're all very proud! Go Sens!
great piece. Ottawa did themselves proud. They just need some work to get over that last hump. Ludos to Ottawa and their fans.
Fluff, i feel yah buddy, it was tough, the sens made it to the cup finals, and thats always something to be proud of.
I think the same, the ducks have lost this way in 2003 and here they are 4 years later. The sens have made a great run this year and the next time they will know what it takes to go all the way !Go sens go !Thanks for my greatest playoff run as a fan (being a Nordiques fan I haven't had that chance that often)
Great blog, Fluff. Ottawa fans should all be really proud of their boys.
Very nice blog, Fluff. The Sens had a great run this year and just ran up against a better team in the finals. And while they didn't win the big prize, they still gave you and their many other fans a season of thrills and entertainment...and after all isn't that waht we all love hockey for? A job well done.
They have one more year, if that, to win it with the current team. With Redden, Heatley and Spezza all FAs next year and Emery up this year it's going to be hard to keep this team together. But regardless of this series you should be proud, it's more than my team did