The Universal Cynic

Expect things to be quiet around here for a bit -- I caught some sort of American superbug in San Diego and it's taking its toll. Hockey Night in La Jolla is still coming. As for last night -- just a few thoughts...

- The media who bitch about the Sens not dishing out repercussions with any degree of sincerity are hilarious. How long have you watched this team, ladies? Chris Neil is good for a yapfest, a pointless 10-minute misconduct and the occasional pee-wee toe drag. That's about it.

- I've replayed the tape in HD slo-mo at least 15 times. It was not a hit to the head, and Alfie has admitted as much. Bell caught a bit of his chin, but it was largely a shoulder to shoulder hit. The way 11's helmet sprang like a champagne cork had much more to do with his head issues. He should consider himself lucky that he came down on his shoulder first, but watching his bare head hit that ice is just brutal. As for the hit itself...what do we call that around here, kids? That's right -- Mustang Ranch. Just 'cause it's legal doesn't make it right.

- To me, it looks like 11's knee injury came from the blow as well -- there was no knee-on-knee that I saw. Alfie's right knee is bent inward as he took the shot, then the force of Bell's hit sent it immediately in the opposite direction. It was a side-to-side motion that could've caused some wrenching of ligaments. As for Fisher? You could sneeze on the dude and his knee would blow out. Damned if I know what happened there. 12 says Bell went knee-on-knee on him. I'll go look for it.

- Don't expect Bass to keep up that type of offensive production, but if he could, that's the type of fourth-liner this team desperately needs. I also woke up to some e-mails this morning, asking for "Kick his ass, C. Bass!" t-shirts. I want to, but...does Ottawa get this joke? Give me your thoughts, and we'll see how it progresses.

- And from the "Sorry, but it's true" files: At least this team now has a built-in excuse for tanking in the playoffs (assuming they get there). Should they use it? No. Will they? Do you even have to ask?

More later.

A win, yes...but someone doesn't want this team doing anything in the post-season (assuming that they're fortunate enough to get there). From TSN:

Daniel Alfredsson skated slowly to the bench after being hit hard by Leafs forward Mark Bell in Thursday's 8-2 Senators victory. Alfredsson returned to the ice for 30 seconds of a penalty kill in the second period before leaving for good. After a long chat with the team trainer, he left the bench and went to the dressing room for the remainder of the game... Mike Fisher seemed to have tweaked his groin or knee very early in Thursday's game and didn't return. Following the game, head coach Bryan Murray said both Fisher and Alfredsson have significant injuries. Murray said that Alfredsson's injury is more serious than Fisher's. They won't know anything for sure until Friday but Murray estimated Fisher could be a week and Alfredsson even longer. Murray wouldn't put a time frame on it but said he wasn't optimistic on Alfredsson and that it is "possible" the captain would miss at least the first round of the playoffs, if Ottawa makes it.