Apr 5, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) skates with the puck on a breakaway in the third period against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Place. The Bruins defeated the Senators, 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
In the midst of a heated playoff race, and a 4 day break in the schedule, the Ottawa Senators will hold their annual team Skills Competition at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night. Events include the maquee events like the hardest shot, fastest skater and the accuracy shooting drills. There will also be an elimination shootout to close the night.
The teams were selected last week, and here they are. Craig Anderson and Cody Ceci are both questionable, after suffering injuries against Nashville on Monday. Thanks a lot, Shea Weber! If Anderson cannot go, it could lead to a surprise guest goalie as his replacement.
Here are the teams:
| Team Black | Team White | ||
| Chris Phillips (Captain) | Jason Spezza (Captain) | ||
| Craig Anderson* | Erik Condra | ||
| Cody Ceci* | Colin Greening | ||
| Jared Cowen | Erik Gryba | ||
| Erik Karlsson | Ales Hemsky | ||
| Clarke MacArthur | Mike Hoffman | ||
| Marc Methot | Matt Kassian | ||
| Milan Michalek | Robin Lehner | ||
| Chris Neil | Kyle Turris | ||
| Bobby Ryan | Patrick Wiercioch | ||
| Zack Smith | Mika Zibanejad |
Here are my predictions for the big individual events, although the listing of participants hasn’t yet been released so I may be way off:
Fastest Skater: Mike Hoffman
Hardest Shot: Jared Cowen
Accuracy Shooting: Jason Spezza
Puck Control Individual: Ales Hemsky
Elimination Shootout: Kyle Turris
And judging by the teams selected, I wouldn’t hire Chris Phillips as my GM any time soon. Team Spezza looks to have a decided advantage in skill level.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, and the action starts with a team warmup at 6:40 and the competiton begins at 7:00. Parking is free for the event.