Phaneuf says it will ‘take a while’ to get over loss to Penguins in East final
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators weren’t quite ready to go their separate ways.
Emotionally drained after a deep playoff run came to an end with a Game 7 double overtime loss this week in Pittsburgh, the Senators cleaned out their lockers Saturday still thinking about what might have been.
“I think it’s going to take a while to get over to be honest with you,” said defenceman Dion Phaneuf. “When you come in today and you have the final meeting, you reflect and you see the guys and it’s a tough day because we went through a lot as a team. It’s a special group, one that I’ll never forget being a part of.”
Few hockey observers expected Ottawa to make it to the Eastern Conference final, yet alone come a goal away from knocking off the powerhouse Penguins. The Senators said they will use the playoff run as motivation for next season.