On Battles and JR . . .

 This week, it’s a little game of questions in search of answers. Let’s get it rolling.   WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE ‘BATTLE OF ONTARIO?’ Seriously, where have you been? When Ottawa and its Senators travel to Toronto to face its Maple Leafs tonight, there just doesn’t appear to be any

Junior Hockey Delivers the Goods

 It’s an undeniably great scene. Early in Season 2 of the generally exceptional Disney+ drama The Bear, pain-in-the-ass semi-main character Richie Jerimovich sits in the basement of the tumbling down, soon to be demolished and renovated restaurant he and ‘cousin’ Carmy Berzatto run, lamenting the state of his life. Richie

Stick around long enough and you might make some friends

 With NHL play in total lockdown for the foreseeable future, we’re dipping into the junior ranks once again this week. Last session, as you might recall, I pasted together a list of my all-time favourite coaches and broadcasters and writers that I’ve come across in the 25-plus years in which

Dearth of hockey brings about ‘classic’ possibilities

 If you could have your choice of NHL games or series to re-watch, what would populate your list? That thought popped into my head Saturday night as I sat in front of my TV going: something’s missing . . . right – Hockey Night in Canada. Sure it was great

Ringside for Youth XXIV packs a punch

 Photo credit: Timeout with the Twins WATCH ABOVE: Timeout with the Twins were invited to attend Ringside For Youth, an evening of amateur boxing, a celebrity appearance, a silent auction, a live auction and a three-course meal, benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.  Their video includes highlights from

Ottawa Senators: Who Do You Protect?

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty Images We won't know until Wednesday night whether Marc Methot remains an Ottawa Senator, or takes his talents to Nevada (Barring leaks to the media,

SENATORS: A Week in Review – December 5-11, 2016

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by #OLMSports Dave Gross. Images from NHL.com. Well, this has zero danger of being inducted into the 'too-dull' hall of fame. It was an interesting week for the Ottawa Senators - one that

Remodeling and Adjusting Keeps Neil Rolling Along

 Nobody could have seen this coming. Chris Neil as Ottawa Senator franchise leader in penalty minutes? Sure. But Chris Neil as the longest serving active Senator? Not on your life. Except there he was Saturday afternoon - as the Sens faced the Kings in Los Angeles - tugging on the

Zibanejad is a Star Ready to Explode

 Zibanejad attempts to knock a puck out of mid-air past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer. Photo credit: Blair Gable/Reuters If you’re concerned about Mika Zibanejad ever realizing his potential after being a healthy scratch against the St. Louis Blues on November 25, don’t be. When Zibanejad was drafted sixth overall