Ottawa Radio Reporting

[GGM]

Connolly probably out tonight.

 

Kalenin probably out for the series. They said Lindy called him "week to week".

 

EDIT: They said Novotny was skating in Connolly's place.

[gilbert1175]

so, if novotny comes in, he would be centering maxim & kotalik?

[blugold43]

kalinin? now we're in trouble.

[Kristian]

Connolly probably out tonight.

 

Kalenin probably out for the series. They said Lindy called him "week to week".

 

EDIT: They said Novotny was skating in Connolly's place.

 

Crap, does this mean Fitzpatrick will dress? If he plays more than 2 mins, we're toast.

[GGM]

Crap, does this mean Fitzpatrick will dress? If he plays more than 2 mins, we're toast.

They definately assumed Fitzy was coming in for Dmitri. I thought Fitzy played decent in his last outing...Here's hoping.

 

Also...They say Hasek is skating with the team as we speak...In full pads.

[PTS]

That sucks about Kalinin being out for the series if it's true, but then again the series might be over by tomorrow night.

 

Bottomline is we are a team that's held together by more than one or two parts. We can afford to lose a few parts and still be a well oiled machine. The Sabres will just continue to Move Along!

[UnionAMG]

Fitzy played pretty well filling in during the Philly series. Hopefully he can do it again and hopefully Kalinin won't be gone for long.

 

I'm not really concerned about the Hasek report. Does anybody really think Hasek can actually play up to his usual level after not playing since February? I don't think so. He'd have to be extremely rusty and would probably be favoring his groin and not be up to his usual Hasek standard.

[topshelfcookies]

WGR was reporting all morning that Vanek would play tonight.

 

I'm sorry, but putting in Hasek would be the worst move the Sens could make. Not only do I think that it would mess with the Sens psychologically, in the dressing room and on the ice Hasek isn't going to be effective in the least.

 

The man has hardly been able to skate for 3 months, let alone take shots. Besides, Hasek's style is so unconventional and sprawling, that with a tight groin, I can't imagine how effective he would be. Hasek has barely even practiced in 3 months, let alone gotten himself into game shape.

[PTS]

Bring on Hasek. He'll bail on his team faster than you can say groin.

[GGM]

WGR was reporting all morning that Vanek would play tonight.

 

I'm sorry, but putting in Hasek would be the worst move the Sens could make. Not only do I think that it would mess with the Sens psychologically, in the dressing room and on the ice Hasek isn't going to be effective in the least.

 

The man has hardly been able to skate for 3 months, let alone take shots. Besides, Hasek's style is so unconventional and sprawling, that with a tight groin, I can't imagine how effective he would be. Hasek has barely even practiced in 3 months, let alone gotten himself into game shape.

The Ottawa guys said something along the lines of: "You'd have to think that means he'll at least be in the backup role tonight, and perhaps able to start Game 4." When it was discussed that Game 4 might be too late, they got all giddy that perhaps he would start tonight.

 

I would doubt either scenario, but as mentioned, one can't think he'd be effective even if he does play.

 

BTW, for all the "Sens are great and the Sabres are lucky" stuff, the announcers and callers are pretty excited about our injury issues.

 

UPDATE: Hasek and Morrison splitting time in net at practice right now. Apparently he's going down and making some Hasek-type saves.

[topshelfcookies]

The Team 1200 has a reporter in Buffalo at the Sens morning skate. He just confirmed that Hasek is out on the ice, in full equipment. No word on if he's taking shots or not.

 

This is the first time all post-season that Hasek has been with the team for an organized activity. Murray concluded that if Hasek wasn't going to play, he didn't want him "meandering around" creating a distraction.

[ReneRobert]

The Team 1200 has a reporter in Buffalo at the Sens morning skate. He just confirmed that Hasek is out on the ice, in full equipment. No word on if he's taking shots or not.

 

This is the first time all post-season that Hasek has been with the team for an organized activity. Murray concluded that if Hasek wasn't going to play, he didn't want him "meandering around" creating a distraction.

 

This is a psychological ploy by Murray. To even hint that Hasek will play is supposed to get the Sens thinking that there is a lot of hockey left (which there is, but only if they can win tonight), to generate some positive buzz, and also to get in the heads of the Sabres. Whether Hasek can actually play, who knows? I know too much Buffalo sports history to be complacent, so I will be chewing my fingernails no matter what. Still, it would be nice to see Dom let in a soft OT goal for someone else for a change... :P

[nfreeman]

Holy cow. You KNOW Dominik is going to pronounce himself ready to play. I think he will play and play well.

 

High drama at HSBC tonight. The Sabres, minus their best forward and one of their top 4 defenseman, facing off against the old master, maybe the greatest of all time, who pushed himself back quickly because his new team is desperate.

 

Dominik put this franchise on his shoulders a decade ago. Now he's going to try to guide the flashy speedboat out of the storm raging in the arena he built.

 

He's capable of doing it, but our guys haven't been afraid of anything or used injuries as excuses all year.

 

What's it gonna be? All we can be sure of is heart-pounding excitement. I trust our guys though.

[topshelfcookies]

Thought this was HILARIOUS.

 

I'm listening to the Team 1200 over the net.

 

"Definitely an advantage having Connolly and Fitzpatrick out"

"This lets you put a checking line on Briere and if you continue to shut down Danny Briere, you make another guy beat you...and then, LIGHTS OUT"

 

This is hilarious! Have these guys never watched the Sabres? The Sabres have the most scoring depth of any team in the league and they're talking like Briere and Connolly are the only guys on the team that can score! I love it!

[jad1]

I hope Hasek plays, I really do. I'd love to have the Sabres face a guy that hasn't played since the Olympics.

 

What a motivational tool for the Sabres and the fans. Miller knows what Hasek did here, and will rise to the challenge. Ruff will use it to keep the team sharp ('you can't let up on this guy'). The fans will do everything possible to rattle this guy.

 

Emery will be good for nothing after a Hasek start. It will give Alfie, Spezza, and Heatly a new reason to float (we don't have to step up, we got the Dominator). And Hasek will be wound tighter than a mouse's ear. A couple of harmless bumps after the whistle, or a tap on the glove after he freezes the puck, and he'll explode, knocking his team off their game, as they focus on standing up for their injured goalie.

 

And if he's a game time decision and doesn't play, what better way to let some air out of the Sens tires right before they drop the puck. Down 0-2, playing in a hostile arena, don't worry Dom's coming to the rescue! Eh, scratch that, you're in net Rayzer."

 

 

 

Holy cow. You KNOW Dominik is going to pronounce himself ready to play. I think he will play and play well.

 

High drama at HSBC tonight. The Sabres, minus their best forward and one of their top 4 defenseman, facing off against the old master, maybe the greatest of all time, who pushed himself back quickly because his new team is desperate.

 

Dominik put this franchise on his shoulders a decade ago. Now he's going to try to guide the flashy speedboat out of the storm raging in the arena he built.

 

He's capable of doing it, but our guys haven't been afraid of anything or used injuries as excuses all year.

 

What's it gonna be? All we can be sure of is heart-pounding excitement. I trust our guys though.

[GGM]

And if he's a game time decision and doesn't play, what better way to let some air out of the Sens tires right before they drop the puck. Down 0-2, playing in a hostile arena, don't worry Dom's coming to the rescue! Eh, scratch that, you're in net Rayzer."

I would be willing to wager that every Sens player already knows whether or not Dom is playing tonight.

 

I like the rest of what you said, though.

[Knightrider]

If Dom's not 100%, he's going to have a tough time. It's one thing to play constantly moving, stopping shots. We haven't exactly had that as a MO for this series, and I'd think he would have a hard time stopping 3-4 sporatic good scoring chances since he would start to tighten up...

 

 

Of course I may have no idea what I'm talking about either... ;)

 

I do hope he plays tomorrow as he would get the opportunity to end his career in Buffalo...

[Rico7]

Per Fan 590 in Toronto, Hasek is not playing tonight. Most likely not this series at all. Murray said he was (with a straight face), then smiled and said it wold be Emery.

[GGM]

Per Fan 590 in Toronto, Hasek is not playing tonight. Most likely not this series at all. Murray said he was (with a straight face), then smiled and said it wold be Emery.

I hate to say it, but that calms me a bit. Even if Dom wasn't 100%, this team needs to stay focused. Dom's return would make this game a circus...Or bring it from circus to circus maximus.

[Rabbit151]

Injured hasek or Emery? Hmmmm....

 

I think Hasek coming back would be a big mistake. The Sabres specialize in cross-ice plays, the same kind of play requiring a goalie to make a sudden, sharp thrust that taxes the groin.

 

Come on in Dom, join the game. Rory Fitzpatrick will score the winner on a screen shot, better yet, in OT while rumbling down the ice past a dis-interested forward like Alfredsson. (Remind anyone of Kasparitis beating Gilmour and then Hasek one fine spring day a few years back?).

[RayFinkle]

PER WGRZ.com

 

Hasek Practices With Senators But Will Not Start

 

Dominik Hasek practiced with the Senators in Buffalo Wednesday morning, it was the first time he's done so since the playoffs began.

 

Senators' coach Bryan Murray announced after practice that Ray Emery will still be the starting goalie for Game 3. Emery has been shaky in the first two games of the series. His save percentage in the playoffs is .896%. He has allowed 22 goals and made 189 saves.

 

Hasek suffered an "adductor muscle" injury, commonly known as a groin injury, during the Olympics. He has worked out before, but only on his own. After Tuesday morning's practice, Hasek said he feels better, but not quite ready for a game.

 

Murray says he believes Hasek could play if needed. While Emery is the Game 3 starter, nothing has been determined for the rest of the series.

 

The Senators trail the Sabres 2 games to none in the best of 7 series. Wednesday night is the first game in Buffalo.

[Kristian]

 

 

I do hope he plays tomorrow as he would get the opportunity to end his career in Buffalo...

 

End his career...?? What are you on about, there are still 27 teams left in the league that he hasn't bailed on yet.

 

I'm sorry, Hasek was always weird but he's turned into a full fledged freak show.

 

Shame, cause a better goaltender never played the game. Now a lot of people, such as myself, will remember him not for his great moments on the ice, but for his circus-act off the ice.