Senate Approval Granted
It's been a big celebration in Ottawa already this year.
The dark days of the Ottawa Senators still cast a long shadow over the teams image, so one can't help but expect to see diehard fans of the long beleaguered club soaking up every ounce of excitement this season has brought.
"This is unbelieveable. It is simply amazing," said Peter Puffer, a season ticket holder since Season 1. "I wondered if I'd ever see this day."
What has the fans so excited is a season which has already guaranteed them to see one banner to be raised and hopes of another.
The club has already clinched their first ever Adams Division title, and second placed seeding in the playoffs. The hope is that this could be the precursor to a long playoff run.
Much longer than last year, when the Senators made the playoffs for the first time only to be destroyed in the opening round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now the Senators are back for a much longer time at the dance.
The Senators don't want to repeat being on the losing end of the handshakes with the Penguins this season.
"Last year, we just wanted to get in," explained General Manager Noel Harrison. "We got in, but when we played Pittsburgh we learned a lot. We new that while we've improved, we have a lot farther to go."
And go farther the club did, including a shocking deal that sent franchise face Matt Duchene to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package of players.
"It was a hard deal, but one which has paid off for us so far," said Harrison.
The dealing kept up until the trade deadline, when the Senators landed power forward Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks. It's hoped a new start will do Ryan wonders.
Bobby Ryan could be a big piece of the puzzle for the Senators.
In the meantime, the Senators will be watching the standings to see who they play in the first round. While unlikely, it is possible that opponent could be the Penguins yet again.
"I'd welcome that, said forward Milan Michalek. "I love the idea of a rivalry and revenge and that would do both. We owe them one after what they did to us last year."
Milan Michalek wants to play Pittsburgh again.
The Senators will be expecting big games from leaders Ilya Kovalchuk and Dan Boyle, as well as netminder Mike Smith. As they go, so goes the team.
"We need them to be better than last year. But we also know they will be," said Harrison. "They are ready to show what they can do and show why they are prime players. It should be a great showing."
Barring a dramatic thrashing yet again, this season is already a success for Senators fans. No longer will the club be viewed as an alsoran, and for the first time in their history the Senators and WCHL Cup are being mentioned in the same sentence. That alone is banner worthy in itself.
"It's a good day to cheer for this team," said Harrison, "and there are more good days to come."
It's been a big celebration in Ottawa already this year.
The dark days of the Ottawa Senators still cast a long shadow over the teams image, so one can't help but expect to see diehard fans of the long beleaguered club soaking up every ounce of excitement this season has brought.
"This is unbelieveable. It is simply amazing," said Peter Puffer, a season ticket holder since Season 1. "I wondered if I'd ever see this day."
What has the fans so excited is a season which has already guaranteed them to see one banner to be raised and hopes of another.
The club has already clinched their first ever Adams Division title, and second placed seeding in the playoffs. The hope is that this could be the precursor to a long playoff run.
Much longer than last year, when the Senators made the playoffs for the first time only to be destroyed in the opening round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now the Senators are back for a much longer time at the dance.
The Senators don't want to repeat being on the losing end of the handshakes with the Penguins this season.
"Last year, we just wanted to get in," explained General Manager Noel Harrison. "We got in, but when we played Pittsburgh we learned a lot. We new that while we've improved, we have a lot farther to go."
And go farther the club did, including a shocking deal that sent franchise face Matt Duchene to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package of players.
"It was a hard deal, but one which has paid off for us so far," said Harrison.
The dealing kept up until the trade deadline, when the Senators landed power forward Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks. It's hoped a new start will do Ryan wonders.
Bobby Ryan could be a big piece of the puzzle for the Senators.
In the meantime, the Senators will be watching the standings to see who they play in the first round. While unlikely, it is possible that opponent could be the Penguins yet again.
"I'd welcome that, said forward Milan Michalek. "I love the idea of a rivalry and revenge and that would do both. We owe them one after what they did to us last year."
Milan Michalek wants to play Pittsburgh again.
The Senators will be expecting big games from leaders Ilya Kovalchuk and Dan Boyle, as well as netminder Mike Smith. As they go, so goes the team.
"We need them to be better than last year. But we also know they will be," said Harrison. "They are ready to show what they can do and show why they are prime players. It should be a great showing."
Barring a dramatic thrashing yet again, this season is already a success for Senators fans. No longer will the club be viewed as an alsoran, and for the first time in their history the Senators and WCHL Cup are being mentioned in the same sentence. That alone is banner worthy in itself.
"It's a good day to cheer for this team," said Harrison, "and there are more good days to come."
