Ryan helps Senators snap losing skid

by Rob Poirier (@RobFeature)

The Ottawa Senators didn't get off to the start that many thought they would. Fans were hopeful that this year's team would benefit from the momentum that was generated by last season's history-making winning streak, but instead, the Senators have often looked uninspired and disconnected while skating to a 5-3-2 record. There are reasons to be optimistic though, as Ottawa has rebounded from dropping four straight by winning back-to-back games. More important than the wins, however, may be the big strides that seem to have been made by Ryan, who has long been struggling.

"I feel good," Ryan admitted, when reached for comment. "It's always tough when things aren't going your way, but I just kept trying to focus on doing the little things right, like refraining from washing my underwear. When you do that, the results come."

Ryan Ferguson helps the Sens pick up a 'W' against Calgary, as only he can

That's right. It was superfan Ryan Ferguson's contributions that made the difference in a pair of Senators victories this week.

"All I know is, I've had a couple of good performances. I'm moving around well... I was on one side of the couch, I was on the other side of the couch, I was in a recliner... and I think I'm seeing the game well too. The new TV is huge. It's helping."

Ryan had been slumping since last season, when, after signing a new contract, some began to criticize him for being inconsistent and lacking intensity.

"You try not to pay attention to that stuff, but obviously you can't help but hear some of it. Truthfully, I was making more money than I ever had before and I did start going out to watch games and stuff. I really just got away from the tried and true routines that had always brought the Sens luck, and by the time I got back to them, they weren't all that lucky anymore."

What is lucky, is that it seems that Ryan has finally found success with a new combination.

"Right now it seems to be: kneeling down with a jersey wrapped around my head while kissing a commemorative puck in front of the Holy Bible. As long as I don't deviate from that, we're good."

Ryan remains optimistic about the future, and believes that he can help the Senators to another post-season berth.

"I think I've got things sorted out and I've just got to keep rolling and get my confidence back up. I remember someone once saying I couldn't even spell 'superstitious'. I'd like nothing more than to make him eat those words."

Lazar "pretty excited" for upcoming stint on the IR

by Joe Boughner (@McLlwainsWorld)

OTTAWA - It seems that not even a trip to the infirmary can wipe the smile from the face of Ottawa Senators forward Curtis Lazar.

It's amazing to everyone at RBM that the keep letting
@Gerv_Rebrand into the dressing room

"I'm pretty excited for this opportunity," Lazar said after meeting with team doctors Monday. "We've got a great medical staff, our rehab facilities are best of breed and have you had a press box hot dog? Those things are top notch!"

It's the first major medical setback for the second-year pro but Lazar seems to be taking things in stride.

Senators to debut Stephen Harper mascot

by Rob Poirier (@RobFeature)

The Ottawa Senators are coming off a summer in which they spent $15M enhancing the fan experience at Canadian Tire Centre... and they're not done yet. Tonight, the Senators will once again up the entertainment ante when they add a new contender to their much-beloved Prime Ministers' race: the Right Honourable Stephen Harper.

Harper goes noggin-to-noggin with the competition (@Gerv_Rebrand)

Sens Friends! #004

by Mike Wheeler (@TheMikeWheeler)

BRIEF: Ruutu plays down homecoming narrative

by Joe Boughner (@McLlwainsWorld)

@Gerv_Rebrand had this file photo of
Ruutu on hand, for some reason

OTTAWA - Former Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu makes his long awaited return to Ottawa tonight but the noted pest doesn't think he should be part of tonight's game story.

"I'm Tuomo, you idiot, not Jarkko," the veteran Finn said with a notable tone of exasperation at the question.

Sens' marketing team "a bit ticked" at election headline puns

by Joe Boughner (@McLlwainsWorld)

OTTAWA - A frustrated marketing team met at the Canadian Tire Centre this morning for what unnamed insider called "a good old fashioned pitch and bitch."

"Obviously we don't get too involved in politics," the unnamed senior marketing official said. "But we're all a bit ticked that Team Trudeau took all the good red puns already."

As papers across the country reported on Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party and its electoral dominance, many lead their stories with the sort of clever wordplay usually associated with the Ottawa Senators marketing efforts.

FAVE FIVE: The greatest moments in Sens/Pens history

by Rob Poirier (@RobFeature)

Welcome to the inaugural edition of FAVE FIVE, a series where I take a look at what I consider to be the five greatest moments in a particular segment of Ottawa Senators history. Today, I'm focusing on their rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Will your favorite moment make the list? Read on to find out!

Leeder excited for opener, wonders "could we have paved more stuff?"

by Joe Boughner (@McLlwainsWorld)

OTTAWA - With the puck set to drop on the home opener this weekend, Ottawa Senators President Cyril Leeder sat down with the RBM team for a lengthy one-on-one interview to discuss all the changes made in the offseason.

"We went in with a plan to really improve this team's fan experience," Leeder explained. "And I think we were successful in achieving that plan."

Leeder pointed to the acquisition of the new Club Bell section as a key development.

"The Club Bell seats, you know, they're really good down low, especially against the boards," Leeder observed. "They're going to create a lot more space for our perimeter seating as well. I think it opens up the whole rink and we're going to see a lot more production up and down the building."

Leeder also dismissed critics who suggested the Sens failed to acquire a top six fan experience device.

"Sure, we talked a lot this summer about needing an upgrade on our t-shirt cannons," Leeder said with a sigh.

"But you know what? Sparty's gatling gun stepped up big with a strong camp. Teams don't just give up their top six intermission entertainment, sometimes you have to look internally and we're pleased with the way the gatling gun is performing."

Leeder became particularly feisty as he defended the embattled Robert Borden, who signed a long-term contract extension heading into last season and became a lightning rod for criticism with some spotty performances.

"Did we expect more from Borden? Yes. The guy helped create the Commonwealth, for crying out loud. He had a bad year," Leeder explained. "It happens to everyone. But if Borden can survive the fractious conscription debate, I think he can win his share of prime ministerial skating races, you know? He'll be just fine."

"And hey, we've got a Farm Boy now, why aren't we talking about that?"

After rattling off a list of additional improvements, though, Leeder did admit to having a few opening night nerves.

"As President, you know, all we can do is put the pieces in place and hope our people deliver but there will always be doubt, right up until puck drop," he acknowledged, ponderously.

"We paved a lot of stuff. I mean, a lot. But you always wonder... could we have paved more stuff?"

A small square of space outside Canadian Tire Centre remains unpaved 
after Leeder was unable to secure a higher paving budget

Lehner treating Senators like 'any other team'

by Rob Poirier (@RobFeature)

BUFFALO, NY - As we were funneled into the Buffalo Sabres' dressing room this morning, it was difficult to ignore the deeply unsettling atmosphere. The lights had been dimmed. The air smelled of incense. A creepy Gregorian chant blared from a stereo in the corner. In other words, it was business as usual for Robin Lehner.

Sens Friends! #003

by Mike Wheeler

Go without the flow!

(Click on the image for a slightly larger version!)

bRian's Bodycheckz - Episode 1 - 2016 Senators Season Preview

by bRian

Good evening Sens fans.  I knew being a sports anchor was my calling, even at the tender age of 3. As you will witness, my first real gig as a sports anchor is so incredible, it'll make Glen Healy blush. I bring the goods. I meet the demands. I ask the questions Ian Mendes is afraid to ask. Quite simply, I bring you the truth. My one wish is that Curtis Lazar sees this video and decides to be my best friend. Curtis.....call me. We could go for food, like we can maybe get a basic pizza. Or we can just buy some chips...Cool Ranch, Salt & Vinegar, BBQ, your choice. Maybe have a few ice cream bars. As long as it's pizza though. And yes, you can bring Mark Stone along. Just tell him there'll be no eye contact.

Here's episode 1 of my 1265 part series, bRianz Bodycheckz:

[STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING]

#MyFirstTicket Story - That time I got hit by a puck

by Bonk's Mullet

Hey folks! The charity I work for, Kids Up Front Calgary (kidsupfrontcalgary.com) is launching a social media campaign called #MyFirstTicket where we ask people to share their first ticket stories. The goal is to raise money so that we can send deserving children to their first sporting events or concerts.

Here's #MyFirstTicket story about how I got hit by a puck at a Sens game when I was 10 years old! You can text 'TICKET' to 41010 to make a donation of $10 or $20 to Kids Up Front Calgary. Greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Greening: "It's time to make Binghamton great again"

by Capital Gains

As anticipated by many, Colin Greening cleared waivers and is on his way back to the AHL. Greening, who is already in Binghamton, decided to address the media to discuss his plan for the future of the B-Sens:

GREENING: Wow. Whoa. That is some group of people. Six of you. Fantastic.

So nice, thank you very much. That’s really nice. Thank you. It’s great to be at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. It’s great to be in a wonderful city, Binghamton. And it’s an honor to have everybody here. This is beyond my expectations.

(APPLAUSE)

Our team is in serious trouble. We don’t have victories anymore. We used to have victories, back when I was here in 2011, but we don’t have them. When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, the Carleton Ravens in an exhibition game? They kill us. I beat Carleton all the time. All the time.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you. I bet some of you are wondering what a 2.75 million dollar player is doing in the AHL. Well, this demotion was by request. I told Mr. Murray to send me down as it would be beneficial for Ottawa, for the organization, and of course, for the great fans of the Binghamton Senators.

Bryan tried to keep me around, throwing terms like "big body", "top 6" and "compete level" at me, but I had heard enough. I told him that the NHL was no longer a challenge for me, that this — this was going to be the challenge I need at this point in my career.

There were many other reasons which influenced my decision to return to the AHL. Believe it or not, a major factor in this decision was because of my teammates.

Bobby Ryan — I've known him, and I've never liked him. I think he is a highly overrated guy, both in talent and many other ways.

Erik Karlsson — He is the worst captain Ottawa has ever had. I'd like to see his birth certificate. I bet he wasn't even born in Canada.

Matt Puempel — He lost a roster spot that should have easily been won against Chiasson. By the way, so did Prince. Prince only made this team because he would have been claimed. I like people who wouldn't be claimed.

Jared Cowen — I'm not a fan.

And of course our vets. Phillips and Neil have been abandoned. Hopefully, with one less body on the roster they will finally get the ice time they deserve.

(APPLAUSE)

Back to why I am standing here today. The Binghamton Senators need a leader. A leader that can bring back our goal scoring. A leader that can bring us back to the playoffs.

We need — we need somebody — we need somebody that literally will take this team and make it great again. We can do that.

(APPLAUSE)

So ladies and gentlemen…

(APPLAUSE)

I am officially running…

(APPLAUSE)

… for Captain of the Binghamton Senators, and we are going to make our team great again.