All Things Hockey

[Syntax]

Canucks faced a crushing blow against the Start. Fortunately, Naslund managed to score. However, Sandford's performance in that game wasn't that great.

TSN.ca Staff

1/28/2008 6:54:04 PM

Ottawa Senators' goaltender Ray Emery has tested head coach John Paddock's patience once more by showing up late for practice following the All-Star break.

Emery showed up four minutes after the team took the ice for a 4pm skate at the Farmingdale Iceworks practice facility in Long Island on Monday as the team prepares to face the Islanders Tuesday. He was then told not to join the team on the ice for practice.

"I decided we wouldn't go on the ice until 4pm and when he wasn't here, it was done with until I talk to him and talk to (Senators general manager) Bryan (Murray) or we both talk to Ray," Paddock said after practice.

Sources tell TSN that Emery maintains he was late because he thought the practice was at the Nassau Coliseum, not the Islanders' practice facility.

Paddock has stated in the past that he likes his team to be at their practice facilities an hour before they hit the ice. For the second time this season Emery did not show up early enough for his coach's satisfaction.



This is just the latest of several incidents involving Emery, who signed a three-year, $9.5 million contract in the off-season after helping lead the team to the Stanley Cup finals last year.

Emery was also late twice for team flights last season and was involved in a fender bender prior to the team's second round playoff game against the New Jersey Devils.

The off-season started poorly as the Cayuga, Ontario native underwent wrist surgery prior to the start of the campaign. He was also involved in a "road rage" episode with an elderly motorist on a Ottawa highway. The motorist claimed that Emery had threatned him and vowed to file a lawsuit, however nothing has developed from that.

As Emery rehabbed his injury, he watched the Senators flourish with Martin Gerber in net over the first month of the season. After his return, Paddock openly questioned Emery's work ethic to the media after he failed to show up to an optional practice when he was trying to earn more starts in net. Captain Daniel Alfredsson was also critical of Emery, stating that "to work hard in practice to show that you want to play."

The saga continued in December as Emery lashed out in anger in practice after showing up late. Emery sent water bottles flying by slamming them with his stick and left the ice in a huff. He then followed that up by being sent home from practice by Paddock who was unhappy that Emery had shown up just five minutes before he was set to take the ice.

Paddock's reason at the time was that Emery had been sick.

"He got here a little bit late he wasn't feeling good." Paddock told the media at the time. "I told him not to practice it was too late. he wanted to still practice. I told him not too and it was best he went home for the day"

The next day however emery admitted he was sent home for being late and it had nothing to do with being ill

"Yeah - I just slept in yesterday and got here late and the coach just told me to beat it."

Less than two weeks later, the goaltender made headlines once more for all the wrong reasons as cameras caught him and team enforcer Brian McGrattan engaging in fisticuffs in practice. Both players laughed it off, however it had become apparent that Emery was becoming a bigger distraction off the ice than his performance on the ice warranted.

In 20 games this season Emery has a 8-7-3 record with a goals against average of 2.95 while posting a save percentage of .891. Despite his play, the Senators lead the Eastern Conference with 66 points.

Anaheim "Ducks":

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3223559&categoryId=2459791&n8pe6c=3

 

[JCpackers05]

ive never really liked Emery to be honest.

 

[Syntax]

Neither have I. He tends to have this belief that he is better than everyone else in terms of play. Whereas Gerber has proven that he is in fact better.

 

[CantGetAWii]

Yeah in my opinion Emery is only good because of the Defense on Ottawa.
Gerber is better all around.

Leafs lost to Carolina tonight, if anyone watches the highlights of the NHL games watch that game please and see how badly the Leafs were cheated tonight. It was pretty bad.

 

[Syntax]

I'll try and catch the highlights on sportsnet before I go to bed tonight.

 

[Whoops]

Cant believe Bruins beat Ottawa from the highlights i saw Thomas played really well. Maybe we can beat Detroit now i doubt it but you never know.

 

[JCpackers05]

*gets down on knees*

dear lord, please let the devils beat the rangers tonight...we are in desperate means for a win...amen.

 

[Syntax]

The Canucks are in dire need of a winning streak. Lately, they haven't been playing too well.

 

[JCpackers05]

i dont think they can be doing nearly as bad as the Devils. they are dropping like a rock in the standings...and just cant play a full game anymore...its getting terrible.

i am officially losing all hope in this season...the Devils are just awful...
3-1 loss to the Rangers.
if they dont beat the Kings tommarow. im done. will not watch another game.

 

[Syntax]

The Nucks lost last night to the Lightning.. 4-3.. Both teams really need to pick it up..

Other news: I'm now at the top of my hockey pool

 

[CantGetAWii]

Leafs vs. Sens tonight, should be a good game.
Half of our team is injured and I believe "I will come late to practice" is in net for Ottawa :lol:

 

[JCpackers05]

Devils Kings tonight...im sticking with what i said in my other post...but im gonna say if kevin weekes plays then the deals off. cause i hate kevin weekes, cause he sucks...at him in net guarantees defeat.

 

[Syntax]

Not related to NHL:

My current hockey team is doing quite well and we have two wins and one loss this season. Our whole team overall has greatly improved since last year. Also, my friend scored his first goal last weekend which lead to a victory. I had an assist that game and played quite physical.. Man do I love the forecheck (sp). For the record, I'm a forward/back up goalie. Anyways, I've got a practice now and a game tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I <3 hockey.

Slightly more off topic:

The hockey thread has almost reached 1000 posts. Also, we are nearing the one year anniversary of this thread.

 

[CantGetAWii]

That sounds so good Syntax.
I should think about playing in some sort of form, be it on the ice or not.

 

[JCpackers05]

i wish i played in some form as well. the only time i play is when im just screwing around on my driveway. or when this little basin type thing freezes, then we get a game together. not gonna lie, im the best non-highschool hockey playing kid there! lol.