The Legend Of Hammond Persists In Mentions Of The Week

By Trevor Shackles | Mar 16, 2015

Although Ottawa lost a massive game to the Boston Bruins, the legend of Andrew Hammond is alive and well, and he’s keeping them in the playoff race. Here’s this weeks honourable and dishonourable mentions of the week:

Jeff Ulmer:

Honourable Mention – Carter Camper

After a very slow start this season Camper has come alive and has been an important piece to the Senators’ offense as he has been centering the first line between Cole Schneider and Shane Prince. There’s always an opportunity that can be created in scoring goals and putting up numbers and Camper has come through with his solid play as of late. Ottawa needs to retain the 26-year-old for next season as he looks to be comfortable in his new role as one of the team’s leaders.

Dishonourable Mention – What else? The D, the dreaded defense

In what has been a painful season of hockey in Binghamton things haven’t changed at all as the team blew three goal leads twice in the third period in Sunday’s game in Adirondack. They were in control and fell apart leaving poor goaltender Peter Mannino out to dry just like they have earlier with Andrew Hammond and at times Scott Greenham, although he remains the team’s best option recently. Inconsistent play and bad turnovers as they continue to give up the most shots in the league and now goals.

Trevor Shackles:

Honourable Mention- Matt Puempel

He hasn’t been overly noticeable, but Puempel scored his first two career goals this past week in four games. He has only played more than 10 minutes twice in his 10 games with the team, and it’s usually in the seven minute range. He’s also playing with David Legwand and Alex Chiasson, so he’s not getting much help. Even though he wasn’t Ottawa’s best player this week, it was nice to see him score twice as he certainly has a knack for scoring.

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Dishonourable Mention- The Rest of the Eastern Conference

The Senators have to continue to play well the rest of the way, or else they won’t even come close to a playoff spot. Problem is, other teams need to lose too. Since Calgary beat Boston in a shootout, the Bruins had beaten the Flyers, Red Wings, Lightning, and Penguins, along with Ottawa. It looked like a hard part of Boston’s schedule, but instead nobody was able to help Ottawa out.

The worst part is now that Washington is slipping, they seem like an easier target down the stretch. Yesterday it would have been better for the Bruins to win against the Capitals, but what happened? They lost of course. So the Senators aren’t getting much luck outside of their own games.

Zachary Prenner:

Honourable Mention- McDonald’s + Burger Tossing

For all the free publicity they’re getting in the wake of Hammond’s historic run, it sure was nice of them to (as of yet, not 110% confirmed) offer him free McDonald’s for life in the Ottawa area. I’d also just like to give a shout out to whomever tossed that burger on the ice at the end of the game, certainly gave us all a laugh, and who knows, it could be the start of a new trend for this increasingly exciting Sens squad.

Mar 15, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) picks up a hamburger that was thrown on the ice at the end of game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators defeated the Flyers 2-1 in a shoot-out at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Dishonourable Mention- Alex Chiasson

The guy doesn’t get many points, doesn’t really kill penalties or play on the man advantage, and at this point in the season I’d say he’s more of a placeholder since MacArthur’s injury. I’m not trying to harp on the guy, but he hasn’t even met the mild expectations I had when we acquired him. Lately he’s looked nearly invisible out there, which can at times be a good thing — but not in this case. For those reasons, he’s my dishonourable mention of the week.

Josh Chenoweth:

Honourable Mention- Milan Michalek

I was less than pleased when the Sens re-signed him to that 3 year $12 million deal, and early in the season, it looked like my feelings were justified. But for quite a while now, Michalek has been quite noticeable in games, in a good way. He’s skating more like the Michalek of old, and consistently providing some offense.

He may never be the 30+ goal and 60 point player of a few years ago, when Spezza was there to help him, but for now, he’s playing well and that brings a smile to my face. He’s a good guy. Now, should the Sens still consider trading him in the off-season? Oh likely.

Dishonourable Mention- Alex Chiasson

While it was nice to see Chiasson score for the first time in 10 games when he got one against the Flames, and he worked hard behind the net for an assist on Methot’s goal in Montreal, Chiasson is showing a penchant for taking bad penalties. His double-minor against the Habs led to a goal against, and last night he lazily hooked Jakub Voracek. This season, Chiasson has taken 1.7 penalties while only drawing 0.5 per 60 minutes. That’s pretty bad.

They deserve our support more than ever right now with their play as of late, and there’s no better way to show it then to show up and cheer

Jay Maps:

Honourable Mention – Erik Condra

Although he may not be putting points up on the board on a nightly basis, Erik Condra and his line that consists of JG Pageau and Curtis Lazar have elevated their game over the past 10-15, and have given other teams fits with their puck possession and hard fore-check.

Earlier in the year there was talk that there wasn’t a place for Erik Condra on this team and the possibility of him being placed on Waivers. Since then, Condra has arguably been Ottawa’s best defensive forward. You can always count on Condra to play hard, to back check and to get at least one break-a-way while on the PK. Now, all he has to do is learn how to score.

Dishonourable Mention – Fan Support at the CTC

I know it may sounds like a broken record from me, but excluding Sunday nights game against Philadelphia where the crowd seemed to be really into the game, understanding how important the two points were, the CTC has been a pretty quiet place during the past week. The Senators are playing their best stretch of hockey in nearly 2 years, and as fan, we should be expressing our excitement by packing the CTC and reminding that team who they are playing for.

They deserve our support more than ever right now with their play as of late, and there’s no better way to show it then to show up and cheer. So, I call on all Sens Fans. Thursday night, 7:30pm, 1000 Palladium Dr. What will probably be the biggest game of the year. Let’s make it a sellout! GO Sens Go.

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