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Is it really March?

Posted: Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Hey Gang;

I keep checking the calendar…is it really March? Is spring almost here? Shouldn’t it be warmer?

While we all have visions of spring dancing around in our heads, hockey fans can hardly wait until Wednesday…trade deadline day. Its almost become a right of passage…trade deadline day means spring is coming! Sadly, it’ll be a different sort of spring for the Ottawa Senators and their fans.

For the first time since I’ve lived in the nations capital, which is now going on 9 years, there’ll be no playoffs for the Senators. Although I am a true blue Maple Leafs fan, it saddens me to see the long faces of Sens fans all over the city. Gone are the days of the unbelievable series between the Sens and Leafs (I know Ottawa didn’t win any of those series, but no matter who you were cheering for, they were exciting!)…neither team will make the post-season this year.

I find it very interesting how the everyday Ottawa Senator fan is looking at a spring without playoff hockey…many are calling for the dismantling of a team that barely two years ago was in the Stanley Cup Final…anyone remember that? Can you recall the intense excitement of an incredible playoff run? How we stood outside Scotiabank Place for the pre-game party, even if we didn’t have a ticket for the game?

Now, fans are calling for heads…especially Jason Spezza’s. Careful what you wish for people…Spezza is an incredible talent, and you wouldn’t want him playing for another team. Besides, the success of NHL teams come and go…no doubt the Sens have had an off year, and it started early. Its disappointing to say the least, but despite what has gone on in Sens land since late last season, you gotta believe that they’ll be back…and if I were you, I’d be hoping Spezza is still around when that happens.

And as far as disappointment goes…try being a fan of the Blue Team. The last time the Leafs won a cup, I was 5. The last time they made a serious playoff run was over 15 years ago…a disappointment that prompted me to tell Wayne Gretzky that I hated him the first time I met him (he laughed, and said, “Leaf fan…’92-‘93? I really felt bad about that” said the Great One, as he laughed again). Seriously, the Sens day will come, and hopefully you won’t have to wait a lifetime!

At any rate, we’ll see what happens come Wednesday…as my Grandfather Phil used to tell me…”it all comes out in the wash bye!”

Cheers

Kurt