A Valient Effort… (Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/OSHC)

The First Loss Is The Hardest To Take

Some could say that a team finally found our achiilles heel seeing as we’ve got a target on our back this season. However the reality is that our record versus the Hurricanes has never been very good. Loosing something like the last five of six matches to them.

So is it any wonder that we lost? Yes and no. Not having seen the game, I can’t comment on anyone’s play. But from the NHL’s live update of the game it looked like it was a pretty close game overall.

In the end, Ottawa did stage a 3rd period comeback but it couldn’t complete it as Staal found the empty net at the final minute mark. I feel good that an effort was made despite the futility.

Alfie’s Point Streak Ends

Daniel Alfredsson’s point streak ended last night as he was unable to help on the scoresheet, officially at least.

So what does this mean for our Captain? Not much. The sky is not falling. The heavens have not parted. He will be back. I doubt much will knock him off of his drive this year. He looks too much like the Captain we saw during last year’s playoffs.

Spezza’s Assistance

It’s official, Jason Spezza leads the league in assists. Normally I wouldn’t care so early in the season, but when is Jason going to get his first goal already? It is his year to shine and I think he needs to step things up again like he did last winter. Jason is looking much like Jason of a year ago wherein the talk became one of whether he should be moved. Hopefully his new found fame isn’t affecting him.

The Road Ahead

As expected the boys lost a game this season. The NHL is not a league like the NFL where a team can have a perfect season. We will always have losses on the books. The question is what kind of loss is recorded.

Blowouts can happen these days pretty easily. But a character loss is one where the trailing team nevers gives up. I think our team is showing that they never give up anymore.

Call this one a loss, but one of quality.