SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Friday, December 3, 1999
Sens mirror Nords' plight
Cup went south with Quebec and it could happen to Ottawa
It's the middle of June and the Senators are deep in the hunt for the Stanley Cup.
The city is buzzing with playoff fever, raving about Radek Bonk's game-winning goal and Ron Tugnutt's outstanding performance in goal.
Just one problem: Ottawa fans are forced to watch the long-awaited moment from their basements and local pubs.
The Senators moved to the U.S. at the end of the 1999-2000 season after majority owner Rod Bryden was unable to get enough tax relief to keep the team in town.
The Senators' departure left Ottawa fans with nothing but memories and old "Woo Hoo" towels to wipe their tears.
If you think it sounds ridiculous, think again.
The last year the Nordiques played in Quebec (1995( they advanced to the Conference quarter-finals, where they lost the best-of-seven series 4-2 to the New York Rangers.
The following year, the team moved to Colorado and won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers four straight.
"It wasn't easy, that's for sure," said former Nordiques beat writer Kevin Johnston of Le Soleil de Quebec. "We all remember the team's last game in New York. It was like one last pilgrimage, it was very special."
Johnston covered the Nordiques for 10 years.
Like the Senators, the Nordiques struggled before finally turning the corner and becoming a Cup contender.
Johnston watched players like Joe Sakic and Adam Foote develop.
"In a sense, we brought some of those kids up," said Johnston. "As a writer, you try to keep things separate, but it still wasn't easy professionally.
"All the work we had done, all the contacts we made, they now meant nothing."
Will Ottawa fans one day be talking about the emergence of Marian Hossa and the incredible turnaround by Bonk?
Johnston says the Senators' current situation strikes a familiar chord.
Maurice Dumas, sports editor at Le Soleil, says the situation is most frustrating for the fans.
"That's who you have to feel for," he said. "But don't get me wrong, even as a professional it was a tough situation.
"The earth didn't stop, but it was hard."
Bryden has said he will sell and move the team unless he receives $10-$12 million in tax relief from the various levels of government.
"Some of the best souvenirs of my job are tied to the Nordiques," said Johnston. "Being a hockey writer in Canada is considered one of the best jobs."
It's been nearly five years since the Nordiques left Quebec, but Johnston says people still remember the nights spent at Le Colisee.
Is it crazy to think Ottawa fans might soon be talking about the nights they spent at the Corel Centre, recalling Steve Duschesne's game-winning goal, which earned the Senators their first berth in the playoffs. Or what about the night they beat the New Jersey Devils to advance to the second round of the playoffs? And who will ever forget the night Wayne Gretzky played his final game on Canadian soil right here at the Corel Centre?
But what might be even more difficult to watch would be the Senators hoisting the Stanley Cup and hosting a parade that wouldn't include the streets of downtown Ottawa.
Ottawa waited 58 years to bring the NHL back to Canada's capital. It's hard to imagine that if the Senators leave this time they'll ever come back.
 Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race | Visit our Polls Archive |