Beer Gate

Clever little response from Bruce Garrioch over the Kovalev comments last week. Kill him with humor people, that's the way to do it.

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Triple C Responds

The other day Kovalev had some unkind words for his former coach. In today's Citizen, Coach Cory Clouston responds, but in typical Triple C fashion, it's boring. Here's the highlight of the retort. Try to keep your eyes open from the snoozefest, though I did like the subtle shot at him at the end.

“He knew where I stood. He knew what I expected from him and he was given several opportunities to have a voice and that’s just one of those situations where players and coaches don’t necessarily agree. I’ll just leave it at that. Anyone who watched him play can make their own opinion"
                                               -Cory Clouston

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Kovalev Reaction

Yesterday the enigmatic and supremely frustrating Alexei Kovalev had some words for the media in Ottawa. Normally it would be semi newsworthy, but I doubt anyone would really care, but this time it was funny because he declared that that the journalists who cover the Sens smuggle beer in their suitcases at airports. It's such a ridiculous claim that maybe it's true? I knew the Ottawa media would likely fight back to the outrageous comment, so here are some of their retorts.

First up is the TEAM 1200's Steve Lloyd, who tried to be funny but didn't really get there. The stay classy Alex hashtag just killed any humurous momentum, however small, he had going. Using a border joke that everyone in the area can related was a good move, he just didn't execute it well. Oh well it's a long season and he can just take it one joke at a time. The important thing was his teammates picked up the slack.

This is a much better effort by Wayne Scanlan. He pokes fun at himself and the other media members and still manages to get a shot in against Kovalev. What makes a joke work is making fun of something we all know to be true, so Scanner nailed it. I especially like the beer smuggling part. I think the Ottawa media should now be known as the beer smugglers.

Bruce Garrioch was the seemingly the most upset about the comments and people's reaction to it. No joke to be had here, just his feelings on the matter. The real reaction was this piece he wrote about it, in which I thought he killed it. He does a great job at delivering facts, while also getting some revenge with truthful barbs peppered throughout the artcile. Well done.

And the winner.........who else but my personal favorite, Ian Mendes, who has to be one of the funniest people in the sports business. What an excellent way to handle it. Spot on joke and hits all the necessary points. You see this is what you do, you poke fun at yourself in a self depricating way and don't take yourself too seriously.

Thoughts?

UPDATE @ 4pm on August 9th:

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"Ottawa journalists don't watch hockey at all. When they fly with the team and go through the [metal detector] at an airport, their bags are filled with beer." -- Alexei Kovalev

The Senators' Alexei Kovalev accepts award for his 1000th career point from Bryan Murray

That hilrarious quote above is from the one and only Alexei Kovalev, who just doesn't seem to get it and never has, which explains why a guy with over 1000 career points is out of the NHL and his career is viewed as a massive disappointment. That quote is just one of many where he takes shots at Cory Clouston, the Canadian media and the Senators as a whole, all from his introductory press conference to his new Russian team. Enjoy all that Atlant Mytischi.

The real question here is what's with the bags full of beer. Is this true? Was Kovalev just trying to insult them? Are the media in Ottawa not aware that beer is available on the flight and in other cities? It's just such a crazy, rediculous story that maybe it's true. I'll send some emails and see what I can dig up about it. Until then, read the interview and the class act that is Alexei Kovalev.

Thoughts on Kovalev ripping everyone?

Kovalev To KHL

Alexei Kovalev in action as a member of the Ottawa Senators

In a move that didn't really come as a surprise, former Senator Alexei Kovalev signed a deal with Atlant Mystichi of the KHL. The deal for the 38 year old certainly means his NHL days are now behind him, as it's doubtful any NHL club that has a TV had any interest in the enigmatic forward. He spent two ultra frustrating years with the Sens before being dealt to the Pens at the trade deadline and likely will always be remebered as one of the most talented guys to ever lace them up, without ever really showing it on the ice consistently.

I personally will remember a few things from his stay here:

• Seeing how excited the fan base was with his intial arrival
• Being at SBP to see him notch is 1000th point in person
• His fight with Francois Beauchemin
• His moonwalk

Thoughts on the Kovalev signing?

Still Overpriced

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Of Course He Did

Yep, of course the famously streaky Mike Fisher would have to go out and drop 2 goals and an assist in his first ever playoff game for Nashville. He was the 1st overall star in last night's action according to the Puck Daddy blog and with good reason. Fisher's strong play helped them to a 1-0 series lead in Anaheim against the Ducks. Don't get too excited, we all know he's likely not to score the rest of the playoffs and go on a patented cold streak for 15 games. Still frustrating to see. He had 29 career playoff points for the Sens in 75 games before this.

Alexei Kovalev wasn't to be outdone either, scoring a goal in the Penguins shutout win at home over high flying Tampa Bay. Chris Campoli wasn't so lucky, he was on the losing end of a goose egg, being shutout by Vancouver.

Thoughts on Fisher's hot start?