Head Games Are a Last Resort for Devils; ...
Posted 7:46 AM ET | Comments 0
Focused Senators Will Not Be Rattled!
In a series that has been all but dominated by the Ottawa Senators, it was the future Hall of Famer, Martin Brodeur that was trying to get into the heads of the Senators and attempt to throw them of their game. After letting in two weak goals himself, he tried to deflect any talk of weak play to his counterpart Ray Emery by saying,
"I think we finally proved to ourselves that if we shoot the puck on Emery, he won't look too good," he said. "He was bobbling a lot of pucks and we could have gotten a lot more than we did. He played a good game, but I think we exposed him a little with his rebound control."
Trying to get into the head of Ray Emery, is like trying to get into Fort Knox, even is teammates laugh at the notion of Brodeur’s futile attempts to rattle their star goaltender. When questioned about Brodeur’s comments, here’s what Emery had in response;
"They're down in the series, I don't know what he said, but it doesn't necessarily matter to me, I'm not going to say anything," Emery said before the Senators left for New Jersey for Game 5 Saturday.
"I'm just happy we're winning games. We've got a chance to beat them out and that's what we're going to New Jersey to do."
"I know how I'm playing and I know how I feel out there. Like I said, we just want to win,".
It is evident that there will be no rattling Emery or any other Ottawa Senator. The focus and determination this team is showing, is something the capital of Canada has never seen in their team. From their swagger to constant confidence in what they are trying to accomplish, there is no doubt this team is much different from years past.
The proof they say is in the putting. Early this season fans have all but traded the likes of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Joe Corvo, Martin Gerber and about everyone else at any given time. Now it is the back-checking and blocked shots of Spezza, the leadership and hard work of Alfredsson and the poise and excitement of Joe Corvo that is helping make up this character squad. It seems as though every player on this team knows their job and will go to battle for each and every teammate. Dany Heatley, Chris Phillips and Wade Redden are also taking on a leadership role for this team and backing up their captain. From the whilly veteran, in Dean McCammond, to the shot-block champion, in Anton Volchenkov, personalities are being formed. You also have the spark plugs in Fisher, Comrie and Vermette who are potting key goals at key times and coupling that with great defensive play. Throw in the solidarity of Tom Preissing and the puck rushing guru in Joe Corvo, the Ottawa Senators boast one of, if not the top, defensive cores in hockey.
The way this team has been playing as of late, definitely makes them a team to be reckoned with, but all that talk could stop, if they don’t close out things at the swamp. Did Martin Brodeur add fuel to their fire? That question will be answered in a few short hours from now. If the first nine games the Senators have played are any indication, this could in fact be the last game played in the swamp this year and last one ever at their current arena. The focus can best be seen through with the words of their coach, Bryan Murray;
"We have to approach the game the same as we know New Jersey is going to, as a team that desperately wants to win a hockey game," Murray said. "I believe the focus is totally on tomorrow night."
In a series that has been all but dominated by the Ottawa Senators, it was the future Hall of Famer, Martin Brodeur that was trying to get into the heads of the Senators and attempt to throw them of their game. After letting in two weak goals himself, he tried to deflect any talk of weak play to his counterpart Ray Emery by saying,
"I think we finally proved to ourselves that if we shoot the puck on Emery, he won't look too good," he said. "He was bobbling a lot of pucks and we could have gotten a lot more than we did. He played a good game, but I think we exposed him a little with his rebound control."
Trying to get into the head of Ray Emery, is like trying to get into Fort Knox, even is teammates laugh at the notion of Brodeur’s futile attempts to rattle their star goaltender. When questioned about Brodeur’s comments, here’s what Emery had in response;
"They're down in the series, I don't know what he said, but it doesn't necessarily matter to me, I'm not going to say anything," Emery said before the Senators left for New Jersey for Game 5 Saturday.
"I'm just happy we're winning games. We've got a chance to beat them out and that's what we're going to New Jersey to do."
"I know how I'm playing and I know how I feel out there. Like I said, we just want to win,".
It is evident that there will be no rattling Emery or any other Ottawa Senator. The focus and determination this team is showing, is something the capital of Canada has never seen in their team. From their swagger to constant confidence in what they are trying to accomplish, there is no doubt this team is much different from years past.
The proof they say is in the putting. Early this season fans have all but traded the likes of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Joe Corvo, Martin Gerber and about everyone else at any given time. Now it is the back-checking and blocked shots of Spezza, the leadership and hard work of Alfredsson and the poise and excitement of Joe Corvo that is helping make up this character squad. It seems as though every player on this team knows their job and will go to battle for each and every teammate. Dany Heatley, Chris Phillips and Wade Redden are also taking on a leadership role for this team and backing up their captain. From the whilly veteran, in Dean McCammond, to the shot-block champion, in Anton Volchenkov, personalities are being formed. You also have the spark plugs in Fisher, Comrie and Vermette who are potting key goals at key times and coupling that with great defensive play. Throw in the solidarity of Tom Preissing and the puck rushing guru in Joe Corvo, the Ottawa Senators boast one of, if not the top, defensive cores in hockey.
The way this team has been playing as of late, definitely makes them a team to be reckoned with, but all that talk could stop, if they don’t close out things at the swamp. Did Martin Brodeur add fuel to their fire? That question will be answered in a few short hours from now. If the first nine games the Senators have played are any indication, this could in fact be the last game played in the swamp this year and last one ever at their current arena. The focus can best be seen through with the words of their coach, Bryan Murray;
"We have to approach the game the same as we know New Jersey is going to, as a team that desperately wants to win a hockey game," Murray said. "I believe the focus is totally on tomorrow night."