by Bonk's Mullet and Chet Sellers
They say you can never go home again. Well, that's not technically true; you can go home again, but Robin Lehner lives there now and he refuses to turn on the furnace. Daniel Alfredsson may not be going home tonight, but he's going to the next closest place, the Canadian Tire Centre.
You've already read and seen plenty about what tonight does or doesn't mean, from Silver Seven Sens' excellent reassessment of Alfredsson's hagiography to other idiots expressing their anguish through the majesty of song. But despite everyone's search for answers, as game night approaches, we're only left with more questions - will anyone actually boo Daniel Alfredsson? Will the emotion surrounding this evening have any impact on the man himself? And most importantly, will the Senators be able to beat the Red Wings for a third time?
We've decided to summarize the game by putting a finger to the pulse of the Sens Army. Here's reaction to Alfie's return via the tweets of Sens fans.
Pre-Game
The curling broadcast was brought to us by Scotties facial tissue. If they're smart they'll be a sponsor of this Sens game on TSN too.
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) December 1, 2013
Alfie's return drinking game pic.twitter.com/54Kcx5UGHe
— Steph (@PuckPossessed) December 1, 2013
Daniel Alfredsson was one of the first @NHL players to support LGBT athletes with #YouCanPlay Thanks, #Alfie http://t.co/JVCTZhT84f
— You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) December 1, 2013
These @Senators fans are happy to see @DAlfredsson11 back in Ottawa. #Sens #RedWings pic.twitter.com/y67iaOutcY
— NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2013
Alfie is still a Golden God to me, always will be. #Alfie
— Sens Underground (@sensunderground) December 1, 2013
Alfie funeral taking place outside CTC. pic.twitter.com/RjtlRcRtj0
— Tyler Cooper (@ClericalBeats) December 1, 2013
Fans set up shrine for #11 outside CTC #AlfiesBack #cbcott pic.twitter.com/blYAe4Xpon
— Sherry Aske (@SherryAske) December 1, 2013
It never had to be like this! #Alfieback #alfie
— Sheky Espinoza (@Hiwaydog) December 1, 2013
Alfie ja Sens. Vetää sanattomaksi. #änäri
— Juha Hiitelä (@jhiitela) December 1, 2013
Skaplig hyllning till Alfie i Ottawa, stort!
— Jakob Svensson (@JakobSvensson90) December 1, 2013
Alfie is back. #NHLfi pic.twitter.com/3uWJCg7pew
— Tatu Virtanen (@VirtanenTatu) December 1, 2013
Someone with an Alfie sign. Next to the L they write loyalty. Not sure they understand English.
— Ryan Classic (@ryanclassic) December 1, 2013
If tonight isn't weird for you, you've been watching a different team than I have the last 17 years. #Alfie
— SensChirp (@SensChirp) December 1, 2013
I'm in tears at work. Fuck fuck fuck.
— brianne (of tarth). (@missbriannie) December 1, 2013
Long standing ovation underway for Alfredsson. "Alfie" chant as well. No hard feelings.
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) December 1, 2013
Just saw the clip of Karlsson during the Alfredsson standing ovation :') http://t.co/rTdEJRSqTq
— Kevin Lee (@BringBackLee) December 2, 2013
First TV story ever done on Daniel Alfredsson when he was a rookie and I was a rookie reporter in 1995. http://t.co/AhibRIh5mt
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) December 1, 2013
Here is the Alfredsson tribute video and standing ovation http://t.co/aC4jrbSeN1
— Brent Wallace (@tsn_wally) December 1, 2013
yep they showed the tucker hit. we love you you bastard
— Chet Sellers (@chet_sellers) December 1, 2013
Internet was terrible at #CTC. So now here is my crowd shot during Alfie's standing ovation. #Sens #Wings pic.twitter.com/CpklqLglDp
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) December 2, 2013
Mäktig hyllning av Alfie i Ottawa. Legend! #senators#sens#nhl pic.twitter.com/NXOUmD0eRw
— Mathias Steen (@steenm_) December 1, 2013
some boos in my section when they announced alfredsson. in fairness, i am sitting with darcy tucker and scott niedermayer
— Chet Sellers (@chet_sellers) December 1, 2013
Well, that Alfie tribute and ovation was definitely enough to make a grown man get a bit choked up. Welcome home #11.
— Jeepz (@jeepzondabeatz) December 1, 2013
Ottawa fans, who may have had every reason to boo, show pure class with roaring ovation for Alfredsson. Other cities can take a lesson.
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) December 1, 2013
so proud of my town! welcome back alfie! so classy ottawa! #classy #ottawa #alfie
— Kimberly chiarelli (@Kimberly_D_1980) December 1, 2013
The fan energy was great but that Sens tribute video seriously looked like it was put together on PPT by one of the interns. Probably was.
— DefenseMinister (@DefenseMinister) December 1, 2013
My mom was crying during the Alfie tribute. My mom doesn't care about hockey. #ThePowerOfAlfie
— Julie M. (@Julie_Sensweety) December 1, 2013
huge alfie chant. bigger go sens go chant. dead silence, like 18000 people pretended they weren't crying
— Chet Sellers (@chet_sellers) December 1, 2013
First Period
For the record, there were some boos for Alfie the first time he touched the puck.
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) December 1, 2013
Even the commercial for "The Clapper" made me nostalgic for Alfie.
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) December 1, 2013
Fairly loud "Alfie" chant at the 11-min mark in here.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) December 1, 2013
Good on ya #Sens fans for doing the #Alfie chant! #Class
— Red Scarf Union (@redscarfunion) December 1, 2013
Are the 11:11 Alfie cheers really necessary? You have an actual team to cheer for you know.
— Sara (@xxsara_m) December 1, 2013
OH AN ALFIE CHANT!! YES #SENS FANS!! Good on ya!! Heard it loud and clear!
— David Sens (@DavidSens65) December 1, 2013
Still remember one of the first times #Sens fans chanted Alfie's name: playoff game vs NJ in '07 and he scored while crowd was chanting.
— A i s y s ★ (@twomins4hooking) December 1, 2013
anyone doing that Alfie chant should be ashamed
— Shaun K (@shaunK16) December 1, 2013
Oh boy Neil was looking for Alfie in the trolley tracks a moment ago...
— Peter Raaymakers (@silversevensens) December 1, 2013
This game is healing me. Not by much. But a little.
— Ryan Classic (@ryanclassic) December 1, 2013
Second Period
I found the Alfredsson tribute video…underwhelming. Then again, so is this game so far.
— Shannon Proudfoot (@sproudfoot) December 1, 2013
on an emotional night, one thing we can all agree on: pic.twitter.com/tytAKlAuYz
— Chet Sellers (@chet_sellers) December 1, 2013
Franzen scores for Detroit, #Sens trail 1-0. #GoSENSGo
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 1, 2013
Alfredsson in on Detroit's first goal. Nice cheer when announced -- God knows Sens fans have nothing else to cheer for today.
— Roy MacGregor (@RoyMacG) December 1, 2013
Second assist, second in our hearts. OH BURN, ALFREDSSON WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT, HUH?!?!
*Cries*
— Luke Peristy (@LukePeristy) December 1, 2013
Crying over my pie. pic.twitter.com/scKMx7CeWP
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) December 2, 2013
Miller scores for Detroit, #Sens trail 2-0. #GoSENSGo
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 1, 2013
Pretty much the same listless ho hum game we have come to expect from the Sens historically in a "statement" game
— Don in Oakville (@Don_inOakville) December 2, 2013
why is it like this
— Peter Raaymakers (@silversevensens) December 2, 2013
This team: Still ridiculously frustrating to watch.
— Justin Friedl (@friedlj) December 2, 2013
Some great work by Milo digging out a rebound on his shot puts it on Clarke's stick in the slot and he buries it. #Sens trail 2-1. #GoSENSGo
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2013
Who else? CLARKE MacWONDERfUL
— The Derrick in you (@derrickvonbrose) December 2, 2013
MacArthur > Alfredsson *hides*
— Mike (@gosensgo101) December 2, 2013
New Alfie scores for the #Sens and it's a one goal game.
— SensNation (@SensNation) December 2, 2013
A lot of fans have been wanting to see MacLean put either MacArthur or Ryan with Spezza. And they produce a goal on one of their 1st shifts.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) December 2, 2013Third Period
Good on ya Ottawa: Cheers and adulation for the past, boos for the present.
— Don in Oakville (@Don_inOakville) December 2, 2013
I did get a little emotional in the press box today, but that's because these were available. #jollyranchers pic.twitter.com/UN7hVyE5vt
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) December 2, 2013
The Ottawa Senators are making me sad.
— Ryan Classic (@ryanclassic) December 2, 2013
Miller scores for Detroit, #Sens trail 3-1. #GoSENSGo
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2013
Now extra sad.
— Ryan Classic (@ryanclassic) December 2, 2013
Of course the attendance is going to be Twenty-thousand.....and ELEVEN for this game.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) December 2, 2013
Power play badly needed. The soundtrack in here has switched back from Hockey Game to Funeral Home.
— Shannon Proudfoot (@sproudfoot) December 2, 2013
Well, at least the second round pick we annually trade will be worth close to a first round pick.
— Adnan (@sens_adnan) December 2, 2013
Alfredsson scores an empty netter for the Wings, #Sens trail 4-2. #GoSENSGo
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2013
Dagger to the forgiving hearts of #Sens fans.
— Canada's Flag King (@Flag_King) December 2, 2013
Alfredsson deposited that like the blank check he never had.
— Travis Yost (@TravisHeHateMe) December 2, 2013
Final horn sounds, #Sens fall 4-2.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2013
Alfredsson picks up the puck at the buzzer
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 2, 2013
Alfredsson named third star, salutes crowd and throws his stick into the crowd to a fan.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 2, 2013
The Wings are, wait for it, 11 points ahead of Ottawa.
— Adnan (@sens_adnan) December 2, 2013
Closing Thoughts
Sens vs. Detroit game summary in drawing form pic.twitter.com/hVKMx30tQX
— Steph (@PuckPossessed) December 2, 2013
Alfredsson is your ex girlfriend flying past you in the passenger seat of her new boyfriend's Ferrari. You sadly pull away in your minivan
— Anthrax Jones (@AnthraxJones) December 2, 2013
I'm just glad that that's all over with #sens
— John (@procdaddy) December 2, 2013