Well, the Sens finally got a solid game together last night. And with Toronto not bothering to show-up the first period, it wasn't much of a game. 5-1 Ottawa. The score doesn't reflect how bad the Leafs got smoked.
It was interesting that enough Maple Leaf fans got tickets into Scotiabank Place, to be heard on TV. Typically the Leafs Fans will boo Alfredsson. But getting boo'd by your cross-town rival in your own building?! At least the Ottawa fans made noise of their own; so it was a weird mixture for cheering and boos, whenever Alfredsson touched the puck. And he handles the puck a lot and for long stretches of time, so it was noticable. Luckily the Sens badly outworked the Leafs and had a 2-0 lead in the first 5 minutes, the Toronto faithful shut-up. Then Ottawa fans boo'd Sundin the rest of the game.
The game started at a pretty high pace, the crowd noise might have helped. But high tempo hockey for a regular season game. Maybe they take this "Battle of Ontario" a little seriously. At least the TSN network does. It's good to see regular season drama, even if it is artificial. And look for Neil to lay a beat down on Mark Bell next time they play, in 10 days. Some stupidity by Bell with a minute left and his team down 4 goals, won't go unpunished.
Gerber was solid again. He's as confident as I've ever seen him. It really shows in his puck handling. Emery should continue to sit, at least in my book.
So the Sens set a NHL record for 26 points in 14 games, to start a season. Very artificial, since there's OT and shootout, which makes comparison to anything pre-lockout/New NHL meaningless. But a good start helps carry you through the season. And winning without Spezza or McAmmond or Emery shows the team is deep.
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