... expecting an extra motivated performance by the league-leading Sens tonight. Leaving aside that Ottawa usually handles TB - especially at the Corel Centre - the Senators are reportedly looking for some payback this evening. Last month they lost 6-2 I believe down in Tampa, but it<s not the loss itself that the tv reporter was saying the Ottawa dresing room is worked up about. Apparently it's the "grandstanding" and "showboating" that members of the Lightning were doing late in that game - particularly one Vinnie Prospal- an ex-Sen.
It's a rare occasion indeed that we here in Canada's capital ever hear reporters of the team getting their emotions up at all. They are a very even-keel bunch, and that is how good teams should be.
But every once in a while it's good for a team to find a bee in its bonnet, especially at this time of the year when it seems like most teams are in a grind'em out schedule, playing every second night. Plus the Senators need a focus to preclude any natural letdown after beating second-overall Dallas the other night.
Ottawa's newly acquired Vaclav Varada should bne right at home in this kind of a "grudge match" tonight ... plus star forward Martin Havlat returns tonight after missing last 4 games with groin injury.
It's a rare occasion indeed that we here in Canada's capital ever hear reporters of the team getting their emotions up at all. They are a very even-keel bunch, and that is how good teams should be.
But every once in a while it's good for a team to find a bee in its bonnet, especially at this time of the year when it seems like most teams are in a grind'em out schedule, playing every second night. Plus the Senators need a focus to preclude any natural letdown after beating second-overall Dallas the other night.
Ottawa's newly acquired Vaclav Varada should bne right at home in this kind of a "grudge match" tonight ... plus star forward Martin Havlat returns tonight after missing last 4 games with groin injury.
