Ottawa Senators: A Bittersweet Reflection
As the Ottawa Senators prepare for another season, their fans are left with a bittersweet sentiment, reflecting on a decade-long drought without a playoff series victory. This long stretch might lead supporters to view the franchise as perpetually unlucky. Yet, the Senators have had better days.
2002-2003 Season Highlights
Taking a step back to the 2002-2003 season, the team flourished, compiling an impressive record of 52 wins, 21 losses, and 9 overtime losses, which earned them the prestigious Presidents’ Trophy for finishing atop the NHL’s regular season standings. Under the strategic guidance of head coach Jacques Martin, they avoided another early playoff exit against their arch-rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, thanks to a first-round elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Reaching the Eastern Conference Final marked a historic milestone for the Senators, firmly establishing themselves in the league narrative of that era, especially with star players like Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara, and Patrick Lalime. Goaltending and a robust right side, featuring a trio of exceptional right-wingers, proved to be pivotal. As Shaun Van Allen, a winger at the time, noted, the depth and talent on their roster created challenging matchups for opponents.
“You don’t win the league without being really good and consistent,”
Van Allen remarked, underscoring the team’s strong roster.
Playoff Journey and Tension
However, the journey to the playoffs was fraught with tension. Ottawa faced an unsettling start in the postseason with a 3-0 loss to the Islanders but rebounded by winning four games consecutively, propelled by ambitious expectations. Todd White, a center for the Senators, recalls the tension:
“We always thought we had a team that could win it all,”
he said, reflecting on the unpredictability of the playoff mosh pit, exemplified by teams like the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues, who carved their paths to glory from low seedings and midseason struggles.
White particularly cherishes his memory of scoring a double-overtime winner in Game 3 against the Islanders, calling it his most exhilarating moment on the ice. After defeating the Flyers in six games, the Senators found themselves amid an electrifying atmosphere that the city of Ottawa had never experienced before, creating a sense of community pride.
Conference Final Against the Devils
The Senators kicked off the Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils with an overtime win courtesy of Van Allen, causing immense excitement amongst the loyal followers. However, as the series progressed, the Devils showcased their experience and resilience, claiming three consecutive victories, leaving the Senators grappling with disappointment. White expressed his frustration over the missed opportunities, while Van Allen echoed those sentiments, remarking on how the team needed more performance against a seasoned opponent like New Jersey.
Despite falling short initially, the Senators demonstrated determination, with a Game 5 victory thanks to Jason Spezza and Chris Phillips’s iconic overtime goal in Game 6, which propelled them into the decisive Game 7. The anticipation from the fans was palpable as the team took an early lead in the final game. Van Allen recalls the infectious momentum that surged through the team at that moment, believing victory was imminent.
Heartbreak and Reflection
However, as the game unfolded, the Devils fought back, displaying their defensive prowess. Although Radek Bonk tied the game early in the third period, the Senators faced heartbreak when Jeff Friesen ultimately scored the game-winning goal, ending Ottawa’s run for the Stanley Cup. White later learned the game-deciding goal may have been a bit of luck, stemming from a broken stick during an attempted shot that inadvertently created a perfect passing opportunity.
Reflecting on that tragic defeat more than two decades later, the players still feel the sting of what might have been. Van Allen articulated the collective feeling of regret, contemplating how different the city’s perspective could have been had they advanced further in the playoffs. White, too, echoed that sentiment, lamenting the missed chance of achieving the dream of every hockey player: winning the Stanley Cup. Although the 2002-2003 season ended in despair, it remains a defining period for the Senators, forever altered by the incident of a single broken hockey stick.
