Senators commemorate Daniel Alfredsson return with pre-game video tribute

OTTAWA – Daniel Alfredsson was showered with familiar “Alfie” chants in his return to Ottawa as the Senators paid tribute to their longtime captain with a pre-game video tribute.

Alfredsson stood and watched from in front of the Detroit Red Wings’ bench as the franchise honoured him. He wasn’t the only one standing, as the crowd at Canadian Tire Centre gave Alfredsson a rousing ovation that lasted long after clips of his greatest moments in Ottawa were done rolling.

Among the highlights were Alfredsson’s appearance as the unofficial host of Ottawa’s 2012 NHL All-Star Game, his hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker from the 2002 playoffs and his overtime goal that sent the Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. He was shown receiving the Calder Trophy and the King Clancy Trophy and winning the gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Olympics.

Alfredsson’s community work in Ottawa also got some attention.

After the video concluded, Alfredsson skated to centre ice and raised his stick in appreciation. The “Alfie” chants turned to “Go Sens, Go” before the opening faceoff.

Alfredsson was greeted with cheers from a small group of fans when he stepped on to the ice for pre-game warm-ups. He said Saturday he wasn’t anxious to see how the crowd would greet him after his acrimonious exit over the summer.

The 40-year-old made it clear in late June he was going to return for another season in the NHL. Contract talks with the Senators soured, leading to Alfredsson signing a US$5.5-million, one-year deal with the Red Wings.

It was a decision Alfredsson called a “selfish” one at the time, citing what he believed was a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup in Detroit than the opportunity Ottawa presented.

The sixth pick in the 1993 draft, Alfredsson spent 17 seasons with the Senators, including 14 as the captain. He played 1,178 games with Ottawa, recording 426 goals and 682 points.

In 595 home games at the building known as The Palladium, Corel Centre and Scotiabank Place, Alfredsson had 228 goals and 361 assists. It’s now called Canadian Tire Centre, and Sunday was his first game there as a visitor.

Alfredsson walked into the building with former Senators teammate Erik Karlsson, but this time the friends parted ways to go to their respective locker rooms.

This wasn’t Alfredsson’s first game against his former team as the Senators visited Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Oct. 23. Ottawa won 6-1 and again 4-2 in Detroit on Nov. 23, a game Alfredsson missed with injury.

“The puck went in the net every time they shot,” Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said of Detroit’s first loss to Ottawa, which he didn’t attribute to distractions. “When that happens, it leads to bad games. It’s just one of those things.”

There were plenty of distractions leading up to Sunday’s game, but Babcock said the plan was for the Red Wings to enjoy the video tribute with Alfredsson and then go play.

NOTES — Defenceman Marc Methot was a late scratch for the Senators with the flu, the team announced. Coach Paul MacLean indicated before the game that Jared Cowen would be a healthy scratch for a second straight game. Instead Cowen replaced Methot in the lineup. … Robin Lehner, like Alfredsson a native of Gothenburg, Sweden, started in goal for Ottawa. He was opposed by countryman Jonas Gustavsson.