Photo Diary: Heritage Jersey Debut Massacre

This was what everyone was waiting for, the highly anticipated debut of the Senators heritage jersey. We've all seen it by now, but we still had yet to see in action on the ice. We were coming off a nice comeback win on open night and were hoping for a nice mini win streak to continue vs Colorado. Clearly that didn't happen. As always, here is the game in picture form. Enjoy the latest photo diary.

Original Senator and HOFer Frank Nighbor graced the tickets for the heritage jersey debut. Great choice. It would have been awesome if the Avs could have worn Nordiques jerseys too.

Our first look of the new complete uniform in warmup. Modeled by Milan Michalek, Chris Neil and Erik Karlsson. Love the whole look. It's a perfect blend of paying homage to the past but with a modern look too.

And the Senators come out for the start of the game, led by netminder Craig Anderson, who was hoping for a solid performance against his former club. Things didn't go as planned and the Avs seemed very happy to stick it to him all night, which my lead credence to the reports of the shit talking he may have done about them.

The ceremoninal puck drop featuring Frank Nighbor's son Frank, dropping the puck for captains Daniel Alfredsson and Paul Stastny. Alfie won it again. He seems to be perfect at those for some reason, but only at home. On the road he seems to never win ;)

Anthem tiiiiiiiiiiiiime! Ah things were still happy here. Everyone was excited. We didn't know what was coming our way yet.

A closer view of the starting lineup during the anthem. On the ice are Jared Cowen, Stephane Da Costa, Sergei Gonchar, Daniel Alfredsson and Colin Greening. The way our D played perhaps we should have let the flag kids play. They couldn't have done much worse.

And here is the rest of the team rockin' the instant classic. Seriously, these are amazing. I couldn't be happier with the jersey and from everything I've heard most people feel the same.

Not that much to say here, more just a cool pic with the flag and the players. If you look closely on your left hand side by the glass there is a cool Nordiques Sakic jersey. Time for puck drop.

And the Senators score early off a nice tip by Milan Michalek, who has the honor of being the scorer of the first ever goal in the heritage jersey. It was the first time we had a lead so far this season.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd that lead lasted less than 3 minutes after a goal by rookie Gabriel Landeskog, who while Swedish, grew up a Sens fan. I'm sure glad we started Craig Anderson for 172665320 straight games to end the year with meaningless wins, so we dropped in the draft and couldn't get him.

Zack Smith in a fight with Ryan Wilson, after Smith nailed Matt Duchene with a hard but clean hit. Can we please stop this already? I'm so tired of clean hits resulting in fights.

I figured I needed to show that while the score was only 3-1 somehow, we only had 8 shots through almost 2 periods, while the Avs had 30. Yep a team that played the night before and had to travel, embarrassed us like that. It may be a long year.

Paul MacLean talking to the ref after numerous questionable calls by the zebras. I love the stache but unless the ref took away our ability to get the puck out of our own end then it probably won't help.

At this point it was 5-1 and could have been worse. We looked slow and sloppy, no heart. I like to think that Alfie, Foligno and Zibanejad are talking about where it all went wrong. Just let me have this one ok.

This was the pin they were giving out at the game. It was a nice touch for heritage jersey debut night, especially with the Frank Nighbor card that has the date and opponent on it. It makes for a nice keepsake for Sens collectors.

I guess the scoreboard guys were having a bad night too. Someone might want to tell them that the Thrashers have moved to Winnipeg and are now the Jets again. I'm not blaming the Sens for this, they most likely subscribe to a service that handles this for them. Still, it's a ridiculous mistake to make.

It was a sellout but I was kind of disappointed by the turnout. Remember that the Senators gave out 1000's of tickets to this game with the pruchase of a new heritage jersey, so I was expecting more, since it's possible to get 20,500 in SBP. Still, the people that were there were pretty loud, for the first 10 minutes.

And this made it 6-1. The worst part was that it wasn't even a close 6-1, in fact it was the rare occassion when the 6-1 score at the time was flattering. We couldn't skate, take a pass or ever get the puck out of our own end. It was very frustrating to watch. We mailed this one in.

So that's it, we were murdered in the big debut of the new gear. About the only positive was how good they looked on the ice. Otherwise it was one of the worst games I've ever witnissed, but the jerseys themselves looked amazing.

Thoughts on the debut of the heritage jerseys?

Shamed

First off, I want to give a shoutout to the Sens marketing department, who someone convinced this years squad to play like the 1992-93 team. Brilliant! That had to of been one of the worst games we have ever played, period! To lose to a team like that who played last night and traveled is embarrassing. Not a good start to the new jersey to lose 7-1. I'm going to keep it short before I lose my mind.


Other thoughts from the game:

• Attendance was 19,239 - kinda weak since so many free tickets were given out with purchase of new jersey.
• The new jerseys are Spectacular! I love them. Everyone loves them.
• The refs were very suspect tonight. That Smith penalty and the Neil penalty were brutal calls.
• Our entire defence was pathetic tonight. Can we send them all to the NHL?
• I'm sure glad we started Anderson in 192873434 consecutive games to close the season last year, bumping us back in the draft and missing out on Sens fan and now Avs player Garbiel Landeskog, who had 2 points tonight.
• Matt Duchene's celebration tonight was very douchey. Smarten up kid!
• The Folign-Regin-Neil line was our only decent trio tonight. Again.
• Anderson was great through 2, lousing in the 3rd.
• Only took us 4 games to get our first too many men call. Impressive.
• We looked like we didn't care tonight. Maybe we didn't. Was very hard to watch.

With the only goal tonight, Milan Michalek wins the night.

Thoughts on the game?

GDP #4: Debut Of Heritage Jersey V Nordiques

The Sens are back on the ice tonight after a thrilling 4-3 shootout win against the Wild on Tuesday in the home opener. Tonight's opponent is the Quebec Nordiques, I mean Colorado Avalanche, who we rarely play and even less at home. So it will be a nice chance to see some guys like Matt Duchene and one of my personal faves Erik Johnson live and in person.

The big news tonight is the debut of the heritage jerseys, which seems to be the most popular thing the Sens organization has ever done. I can't recall ever seeing such across the board praise for any other move, other than extending Alfie's contract perhaps. It will be our first chance to see what they look like while playing and on TV. I imagine they won't disappoint. In fact, I say they will be our regular uniform within 3 years. Book it!





Speaking of Alfie and the heritage jersey, here's what he had to say about it. I co-sign what he said big time but the jerseys are sharp either way.

Craig Anderson gets the nod for the 4th consecutive game tonight, this time facing his former club. A club where he was a MVP candidate and then struggled to play for in the span of 18 months, so much so that we were able to get him for Brian Elliott. Yep, that bad. Thought I have heard Anderson and management in Denver had issues, so it may have had more to do with that than his actual play.

There will also be some movement in the lineup tonight again, as Zenon Konopka and Erik Condra will watch from the press box Biz Nasty style, which means Bobby Butler and Brian lee enter the lineup. Paul MacLean has decided to go with 7 defenceman tonight to limit the ice time and improve our puck movement out of our end. I have to say I co sign that move a lot. We need to be fresh out there with our problems on the backend. With that said there is one line with just 2 forwards tonight and an extra d-man. Interesting to see Zibby on the first line. Perhaps a sign to  pick it up before the 9 games kick in?


Your forward lines are:

• Greening-Spezza-Zibanejad
• Michalek-Da Costa-Alfredsson
• Folingo-Regin-Neil
• Butler-Smith

and the defensive pairings are:

• Cowen-Gonchar
• Kuba-Karlsson
• Rundblad-Phillips
• Lee

Local Flavor: None tonight but you can watch a player that many Sens fans wanted to draft and who was a Sens fan growing up in Gabriel Landeskog. Ryan O'Byrne is also in the Avs lineup now, so ladies watch your purses.

Prediction: If you can believe it, the Avs finished worse than us last yearm, so they're hardly a contender and they played last night in Columbus, getting the W by the way if you're interested. In reality it's a matchup of rebuilding clubs with both fielding large yout movements, which can make the games very exciting and extremely unpredictable, which sums up our season to date. The Sens will have to keep an eye out for sniper Matt Duchene all night, but if they keep him in check, they should be able to win. Sens get the W and make it 2 in a row 4-2.

Record this season: 2-1 with zero exact scores predicted


TV: Sportsnet @ 7:30pm Radio: Team 1200

Be sure to follow me on twitter for live photos and live tweeting from inside SBP tonight. Follow me @SensTown

Thoughts on tonights moves and matchup?

Photo Diary: Heritage Jersey Release

Today was the big day, the day the much anticipated Senators heritage jersey was finally unveiled and available for purchase. Many were very excited to get their hands on the jersey that is clearly the most popular since the original white home jersey worn in 1992. As always for those of you who couldn't be there, I will provide the latest version of the photo diary. More pics after the jump.

Here's the first pic where you can clearly see the whole uniform and I have to say it looks pretty awesome. Interesting to note that the Sens have yet to officially cut anyone yet, so guys like Kaspars Daugavins, Robin Lehner and Mike Hoffman amongst others are modeling the new look too.

Here's the what the goalie setup will look like, modeled by Zoolander, errr I mean Craig Anderson. Looks sharp, especially with his clean and simple goalie gear. Let's hope his play matches his style this season.

A close up of the new digs, not too shabby right? Jared Cowen sure looks good in a Sens uni and Brian Lee still looks like a 15 year old. These MAY be our best uni's to date in my opinion. I love them.

Yes, each one of those is a boxed up heritage jersey for season ticket holder's. That is a lot of jerseys.

Though not announced yet, here are the 2 assistant captains for the year (MAJOR SCOOP lol). Chris Phillips has been one for quite a while and with him re-upping, it was a given he'd rock the A, but Spezza looks to have a permanent A for the first time. I have to say, it suits him. I'm looking for a big year from Giggles.

The wall of new heritage jerseys featuring all the Senators players. It looks really sharp all together like that doesn't it? It sure is nice to finally see the finished product turn out great after so many months of speculation. I know many of you, myself included were curious about the color/font of the name and numbers but they came out nice too I think. I had only ever seen the finished product a few months ago without any numbering or lettering, so I'm glad it looks proper.

And finally, an up close and personal view of the entire new heritage uniform. My 2 cents, they couldn't have done a better job producing it. It looks awesome to wear and even better on the players. I predict in a few years it will become out permanent home jersey due to it's original look and fan popularity. My only complaint is the players are all rocking the jerseys with the All Star Game patch, while the one's for sale were blank. Could have had some with and some without in my opinion, but otherwise well executed all around.

As someone tweeted me, this jersey just seems to scream Ottawa, and that's a good thing.

Thoughts on the new jersey?

Here's a video explaining how the heritage jersey came to be and features co-creator Jacob Barrette. It's nice to see it explained and hear it straight from the people involved. Of course Sens Town interviewed Jacob over 2 years ago, so check it out here.

Heritage Jersey Release Reminder

The Senators new heritage jersey in its display box at The Sens Store

Just in case you live under a rock, or let it slip your mind, the Senators new heritage jersey will be released today at 10:30am at Scotiabank Place during an open practice for the team that's being called Puck Drop. Sens stores are the only outlets available to purchase it for a few days, so if you want to be one of the first to own the new digs, come out to SBP.


I know some of you were concerned about the rumors that there would only be replica jerseys and no on ice authentic one's for sale, but I talk to someone in the know from the Sens and I was assured that they WILL indeed have on ice authentic heritage jerseys for sale, as well as women's and youth too.

 Better bring you wallets.

Here's the list of activities for the day:

• 9am - Gate 1 activities begin
• 9:30am - Door open to SBP
• 10:30am - Introduction of Heritage Jersey
• 11am - Sens open practice
• 1pm - Puck Drop event ends

Heritage Jersey New Look

Here's another view of the new heritage jersey that will be fully unveiled on Saturday morning. Looks sharp.

Uh Oh Buff-A-Lo! Sabres Leak Heritage Jersey

The final product of the Sens heritage jersey has now officially been leaked, thanks to the pro shop at the Buffalo Sabres via Icethetics. At least it wasn't a blunder by the Sens this time. The jersey is as was expected, french shoulder patch and all, but I have to admit these are pretty spectacular looking.

Your thoughts on the end product?

Heritage Jersey Teaser

We're getting closer.

Heritage Jersey Release Date Confirmed For Oct 1st

A couple of days ago, I let you know that the heritage jersey would be released on October 1st. Today it was confirmed by the Senators, being released after an open practice at SBP. From everyting I've seen it appears to be a big winner from the fans, so it should sell very well. If you want to be one of the first in the city to have it, head to the practice on the first.

On a personal note, shoutout to Bruce Garrioch for showing me some love and giving me the proper credit for breaking the news before it was officially announced. Around the interwebs no one else gave me any credit for it, so I sincerely appreciate the gesture. Remember, for all the latest news and information FIRST, come to Sens Town.

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Heritage Jersey To Release October 1st?

Given the popularity of the widely circulated Senators Heritage Jersey over the summer, many are dying to get their hands on one, but as of yet, we don't have a date when they will be available for purchase. This is what season ticket holders have received, a card good for one free heritage jersey that they say will be ready for October 1st.

No word on if this is just for people with seasons or for the general public too (though I've been told it will be) as of yet, but one thing is for certain, they will be available for everyone to buy in a month or so at the latest. Still waiting on an official unveil from the Sens and I am particularly curious to see the font and colors they will use for the letters and numbers.

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Heritage Jersey Final Product

image via icethetics

We had previously seen the black and white version, but here is your first look at what the final product will look like. I personally really like it, but what say you? Interesting to note that one of the side patches appears to be in french, saying Senateurs prominently, with Ottawa underneath, while the other side patch says Ottawa prominently, with Senators underneath. I`m not really a fan of the French aspect, sorry other side of the river.

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Let There Be Color

The other day, the new heritage jersey was leaked but it was only in black and white, which gave you a big hint at what it looked like, but didn't quite go all the way. We now have a better version to look at via CTV, though it looks to me like a crappy photoshopped version made after seeing the leak the other day, plus they forgot to include the shoulder patches, the all star game patch or the 20th anniversary patch. Baby steps I guess, baby steps. We'll get there eventually.

Thoughts?

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Heritage Jersey Leaked

It hasn't exactly been a banner week around the Senators offices has it? Earlier this week I leaked pics of the new scoreboard and now the heritage jersey has been leaked. They aren't exactly very strong at keeping things a secret over there are they?

The pictures of the new jersey are in black and white, but as someone who had seen the jersey a few months ago, I can confirm that this is indeed what you should expect. Ironically, I was told the Senators were planning a press conference to annouce this in the next week or so, but were clearly beaten to it by icethetics, which between this and the scoreboard, has to have the Sens organization pretty pissed off. It can be that fun to put that much work into something, only to have two bloggers steal your thunder.

Sens fans should be happy, as this jersey is as close to what they've been asking for for years. It will become a fan favorite instantly and look awesome on the ice. The piece also contains some information about some promotions and plans for the 20th anniversary season as well.

So Sens fans, what do you think about your new jersey?

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20th Anniversary Logo Revealed?

As promised the other day, here is the Senators 20th season anniversary logo that I've been told will be used on all kinds of merchandise and advertisements. One would be lead to believe that this will also be used as a patch on the new heritage jersey, along with the all star game patch.

Although yet to be officially unveiled, I've been told that this is likely to be used but not confirmed. My opinion on it? It's a bit plain and boring, but sometimes simple is better than too busy. All in all, it's a decent effort, but I would have preferred a bit more creativity. I think they played it a bit too safe.

What do you guys think about the new logo to celebrate 20 years in the NHL?

Too (not) Legit To Quit

Yesterday another Sens blog, the boys at the 6th Sens put up what was allegedly a leaked version of our new shoulder crest for the new heritage jerseys via a Sharks site. It caused quite a reaction in the interwebs with Sens fans. But after discussing it with them more and others, I was pleased to let them know that unfortunately it wasn't genuine, but rather the work of an overzealous photoshopper. They most likely took a shot in the dark based on the preview of the jersey that the Sens org gave us a couple months back. I can confirm there is no "O" on the shoulder patches, and the font is way off. On the real one it is much thicker and bigger. The one accurate part however is the shield itself. The real one does have black and red in the way the fake presented.

Just something to pass along so that everyone doesn't think it's legit.