Senators goalie Anderson takes indefinite leave
By
Ken Warren
First posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 12:21 PM EST | Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 03:13 PM EST
With Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson having been granted another personal leave of absence, Mike Condon will step back into the net Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“This is a game and we all take it very seriously, but then it’s your loved ones, it’s your family, and there are bigger things than hockey sometimes,” said Condon, who hasn’t played since losing 5-1 to Nashville on Nov. 17. “I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s going through and I wish him the best.”
Anderson’s wife, Nicholle, is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments at a New York hospital for a rare throat cancer.
The Senators have been understanding of the situation and were well prepared for Anderson to leave, recalling Andrew Hammond from Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Monday. Hammond will be on the bench against Philadelphia.
Senators coach Guy Boucher says there is no firm timetable for Anderson’s return, but the earliest he could be back is Saturday, when the Florida Panthers play the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre.
“Right now, it’s one (game),” said Boucher. “Is it two? We’re not sure. Right now, it’s one game at a time. He won’t be here Friday, but we’ll see come Saturday. We know if he doesn’t have any practice, he’s fine (to play).”
Despite losing 5-4 to Buffalo on Tuesday, Anderson is tied for second in the NHL in wins (12), while carrying a 2.20 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.
“He’s an experienced goalie and it has been a pleasure watching him this year,” said Condon.
They’re tough skates for Condon to fill, but he knows the drill.
“I don’t really think about it as pressure,” he said. “I’m just going to go out there and play. I’ve put in the work ever since Nashville. I’m always ready to go.”
Before losing to Nashville, Condon was outstanding in his previous two starts. He made 27 saves in a 1-0 shutout over Vancouver Nov. 3 and he stopped 31 shots, including eight in overtime, in a 2-1 win over Buffalo on Nov. 9.
Since his last start, he has gone about his business in the background, working closely with goaltending coach Pierre Groulx.
“Doing the work during practice days so that it shows up on game days is our motto,” said Condon. “Every day you have to approach the game as if you’re playing. Even though you’re told you’re not (starting), you can still go in there. This is no different.”
And then there’s Hammond, who, for the time being, has become the backup to the backup.
It has been a tumultuous start of the season for Hammond, who lost his first start, 5-1 to Detroit, on Oct. 17.
In his second start, against Calgary Oct. 28, he lasted only one period before suffering a groin injury.
That prompted the Senators to acquire Condon in a trade from Pittsburgh.
When Hammond was ready to return, he refused a conditioning assignment to Binghamton of the AHL. Ultimately, Ottawa assigned him to Binghamton — he cleared waivers — where he stopped 44 of 49 shots in a pair of losses with the Senators’ top farm club.
“It was nice to see a game again, getting into that kind of routine again,” said Hammond. “They weren’t the results we wanted, but it was nice to get back after having some time off.”
Hammond’s latest stay in Ottawa could be short, but his own history provides some consolation. Back in 2015, he was playing the role of emergency backup when Robin Lehner suffered a season-ending concussion, joining the injured Anderson on the sidelines. The Hamburglar went on to backstop the Senators to the greatest rally to a playoff spot in NHL history, going 20-1-2, with a 1.79 GAA and .941 save percentage.
Hammond always said seeing NHL shots regularly in workouts prepared him for his time in the spotlight.
“I feel like there is a lot you can get out of practice,” he said Wednesday. “It definitely worked for me in the past. It helps you get ready for the games. I guess it’s not that different than two years ago.”
kwarren@postmedia.com
Senators goalie Anderson takes indefinite leave | SENATORS | Hockey | Sports | T
Don Cherry has a new man-crush, but you’ll never believe who it is
Postmedia Network
First posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 10:30 AM EST | Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 10:37 AM EST
Does Don Cherry have a man-crush on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?
A Wednesday morning tweet certainly gives that impression. Cherry took to Twitter to praise the prime minister for marching “to his own drum” in his remarks following the death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in which Trudeau controversially expressed “deep sorrow” at the news, and extolled the dictator’s achievements.
“In life you must give credit where credit is due,”
wrote Cherry in a tweeted statement Wednesday. “I might be sorry for saying this, but you must admit (Trudeau) marches to his own drum. For instance when he says he likes Castro he knew he was going to get it from the right wing. It didn’t matter to him, he liked Castro and he let it be known.”
The very vocal host of Coach’s Corner went on to praise Trudeau’s approval of two major pipelines.
“He backs the pipeline, which will create thousands of jobs for middle class Canadians knowing he would get it from the left-wing weirdo’s and his own party. It didn’t matter, he listened to his own drum,” Cherry wrote.
Cherry also hinted he’s come around as a Trudeau fan only recently.
“I know people think he would be trampled by Donald Trump in negotiations, I don’t believe that now,” he tweeted. “Looks like he has lots of steel.”
It also seems his admiration stems a little from the fact he sees a little of himself in the young PM.
“The prime minister gets ripped for having charm, good looks, personality and being a sharp dresser. I know how he feels,” Cherry tweeted.
Don Cherry has a new man-crush, but you’ll never believe who it is | Canada | Ne
