Ottawa Senators fans celebrate improbable NHL playoff berth
Sens beat Flyers 3-1 to earn a spot in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs
Fans, players and politicians took to social media to express their jubilant feelings after the Ottawa Senators beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1, earning the team a playoff spot after an incredible two-month run.
The Senators won 23 of their final 31 games in the regular season, helped in large part by rookies Mark Stone and Andrew "Hamburglar" Hammond. The win on Saturday means Ottawa will play either Montreal or Tampa Bay in the playoffs.
No matter who the Senators play, the excitement after an improbable playoff berth resonated over Twitter.
Andrew Hammond made 34 saves to lead the Senators to a Stanley Cup playoff berth. <a href="http://t.co/ztHVGzgVPe">http://t.co/ztHVGzgVPe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nhl?src=hash">#nhl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="http://t.co/0gnZTCc73g">pic.twitter.com/0gnZTCc73g</a>
—@hockeynightOttawa Mayor Jim Watson wasted no time in chirping John Tory, mayor of Toronto. A former politician also celebrated.
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnTory">@JohnTory</a> isn't it great that all the Canadian NHL teams are in the playoffs.....oh wait, sorry!
—@JimWatsonOttawaThe Ottawa Senators make the play offs!!!!!
—@BairdSenators owner Eugene Melnyk and the team's players chimed in soon after the final horn sounded. For many on the young Ottawa team, it's their first chance at playoff hockey.
Former Senators' captain Daniel Alfredsson shared his thoughts, too.
I've never been more proud of a team than I am of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Senators?src=hash">#Senators</a> this season. What a run! Great things ahead and on to the playoffs!!!
—@MelnykEugeneWhat a run! Thank you Sens Army for all the support, Can't wait to get the playoffs underway! Oh, and grow out my beard.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayoffBound?src=hash">#PlayoffBound</a> #��
—@CurtisLazar95What a wild ride it's been these last couple months. Couldn't be more excited to get my first taste of NHL playoff hockey!!
—@Cecer_83Impressive SENS, If Stoner don't win the Calder I should give him mine. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bigtime?src=hash">#Bigtime</a>
—@DAlfredsson11As for fans, joy and surprise were key themes after the win.
Wow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash">#sens</a> such an amazing run. Can't wait to watch this young group in the playoffs. Yes playoffs here we come <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gosensgo?src=hash">#gosensgo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nhl?src=hash">#nhl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cardiackids?src=hash">#cardiackids</a>
—@JerrettDefazioThis is completely unreal... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash">#sens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayoffPush?src=hash">#PlayoffPush</a>
—@BrianJKempDon't even know if it's sunk in yet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/playoffs?src=hash">#playoffs</a>
—@TheMikeWheelerOn Feb 9th the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> standings looked like this. I'll take playoffs over tanking any day. Here we come <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLPlayoffs?src=hash">#NHLPlayoffs</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZtQOBtqyLC">pic.twitter.com/ZtQOBtqyLC</a>
—@KristyQ8I’m not crying… You’re crying… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash">#sens</a>
—@senatorsdjIn honour of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="http://t.co/iDGISzuHER">pic.twitter.com/iDGISzuHER</a>
—@nickmacpouletHey Boston. How you like them apples! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sensarmy?src=hash">#sensarmy</a>
—@ipayfordat<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> hockey has been an ultra bore. [Sarcasm breaks plane of existence]
—@ryanpaulgibson<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="http://t.co/ftCH5rg9ci">pic.twitter.com/ftCH5rg9ci</a>
—@therealkenchaseSo spring was waiting for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash">#sens</a> playoff hockey. Worth the wait.
—@DonnieBOConnorI said getting to the playoffs would be good enough for me, but now that we're there, anything is possible. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Believe?src=hash">#Believe</a>
—@procdaddyThe only disappointing thing about this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash">#sens</a> run is that I am fairly certain I will never witness something so epic ever again. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/playoffs?src=hash">#playoffs</a>
—@craigvoskampTHANK YOU FOR NOT LETTING ME DOWN THIS YEAR <3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SENS?src=hash">#SENS</a>
—@KirstenIngham