In every way possible during last night's game four match-up the Ottawa Senators were complete and utter flops. The game began with offensive domination by the Sens and the Ducks seemed to be completely reeling after the loss of Chris Pronger for this pivotal clash. Their defense looked absolutely inept despite the brilliant efforts of captain Scott Niedermayer.
Meanwhile the Ottawa defense played as a virtual impenetrable unit not allowing the likes of Teemu Selanne or Andy McDonald to even threaten Ray Emery. If not for J-S Giguere, all would have been lost for the Ducks. The Senators pressed with the first nine shots on goal during the opening period and out shot the Ducks by a lofty margin of 13 to 2. However, it took a Daniel Alfredsson one timer with 0.3 left on the clock to give the Senators a lead.
In the second period the Ducks reversed roles with the Senators and dominated the period taking a shot advantage of 13 to 4 and simply controlled the puck in the offensive zone. Ottawa looked as though they had as much chance of anyone facing Disney's Mighty Ducks film version. Andy McDonald contributed two amazing goals within a minute of one another which enabled the Ducks to soar ahead of the competition. A late goal that slipped past Giguere by Dany Heatley knotted the game at two.
In the third the Ducks scored quickly on a Dustin Penner goal; however, credit for this goal is owed to Teemu Selanne who was able to lure Ray Emery far out of the crease and send a perfect pass to Penner in front of a wide open net. The Ducks were able to hold the Senators to only six shots the remainder of the period despite the club pressing its defensemen for the duration of the contest.
Once again Anaheim stepped up without the services of Chris Pronger and secured a 3-1 advantage heading back to the pond.
During the course of the game the actions taken by the Ottawa players need to draw concerns to rule alterations this offseason. Early in the opening period, Chris Neil was able to draw the first penalty of the contest with a blatant flop after minimal stick contact by Francois Beauchemin. Later on in the first period the Senators were given another advantage by an "interference with goaltender" penalty on Ryan Getzlaf in which he brushed by Ray Emery and Emery collapsed on the groun with his feet flying in the air (no youtube video found, I will edit later to provide a link). Getzlaf did everything within his power to avoid making contact and the referees gave the Ducks a penalty for Emery's acting which allowed Alfredsson to score with a man advantage late in the first.
Something must be done to prevent the future use of this flopping technique in hockey. The penalties dished out to Anaheim in the first period were atrocious and it very well could have cost them the game. During intermission, it was suggested that the NHL needs to start penalizing floppers instead of the people they are flopping against to get the players to cut it out. I whole heartedly agree. The dynamics of the game were completely altered last night on nonhockey plays.
Moreover, it was great to see brilliant class exhibited by Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson. With time winding down in the second period and no true chance to score. The captain looked as though he would make a final slap shot, rethought this course of action, and fired a shot directly at Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAuj_AMnMGM . As you can plainly see, Alfredsson adjusted his body and fired the shot directly at Niedermayer. Somehow only roughing penalties were given out to Samuel Pahlsson and Mike Fisher for the action and resulting skirmish.
This shot was more despicable and dirty than Chris Pronger's hit in game three that got him suspended for a game. Pronger was at least making a tough hockey play in the context of the game. Pronger needed to prevent Dean McAmmond gaining his rebound and going strong to the net. Alfredsson committed a childish act the had no relevance to helping his team, aside from potentially injuring Scott Niedermayer. I am well aware that Alfredsson will not be suspended for this play, but if Chris Pronger deserved one for his actions, then I certainly think Alfredsson should take a game off.
In every way imaginable the Ottawa Senators flopped in this pivotal game four. They dropped a game at home, failed to truly capitalize on a first period they dominated, gained false penalties, and their captain proved to be an immature child. I hope this team enjoys this trip to Anaheim on Wednesday, because it will be the last hockey game they get to play.
Faces at the U.S. Open
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