Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, the Panthers got pushed around by the Ottawa Senators. losing 4-0.  There were very few positives to take away from the game.  Dmitry Kulikov looked ill-prepared for the speed of the NHL, the offense looked toothless, players were taking lazy penalties and everyone just seemed generally exhausted.  The team looked as though they had just hitch-hiked from South Florida to Ottawa as opposed to flying on a private chartered plane.

In the midst of this malaise something amazing happened.  The broadcast called to our attention a man sitting behind the Senators bench.  What made this man so special was the fact that he looked identical to Senators head coach Paul MacLean.

According to Canada.com, the man’s name is Mike Watson.  He was escorted out of his seat by ushers later on in the game.  Whether he was thrown out, or if he was simply moved to another seat is not known.  It sure looked like he was getting tossed from the game which raises the question, is that the first time anyone has ever been thrown out of a sporting event for looking too much like a head coach? I think it would have to be.

In a post-Manti world, one can never be too skeptical about sports stories.  It is possible that Paul MacLean is not even real and we are all being catfished.  Or maybe there is a house in Ottawa filled with Paul MacLean look-a-likes a la Arrested Development.  Whatever the case may be, way to go Mike Watson.  Thank you for adding some levity to an otherwise dreary Florida Panthers game.

UPDATE:

The look-a-like did do an interview with Ian Mendes of Sportsnet who reported, “So the Paul MacLean stunt double isn’t trying to spoof the Sens head coach. Those are just where his company’s season seats are located.” (source) The shots of Watson being escorted from his seat probably have to do with him going to do an interview rather than being thrown out.

thepuckstopshere30.blogspot.com

The Ottawa Senators have returned Mika Zibanejad to Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Elite League for remainder 2011-12 season. Assessed during a standard nine game tryout, it was determined by GM Bryan Murray, that Zibanejad was better suited playing for Djurgårdens. The center had one point, an assist, and a -3 rating over the 9 games. The sixth overall pick during this year’s entry draft, Zibanejad is the youngest player in the club’s 110 year history, to don the Senators sweater.  By the way, the Senators were undefeated in 1901, winning seven games with one tie.

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Why does this guy look so familiar? Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

     The 2011-12 season is quickly approaching. We here at The Rat Trick are taking a closer look at each division in hopes of providing some insight as to what the division may look like come April.  Today’s spotlight is on the Northeast.

     The division consists of five teams, three of which made the playoffs last season. One of those three teams went on to hoist the Stanley Cup, the Boston Bruins, which included our old buddy  ”Trade Me Please”  Nathan Horton (pictured above). Many questions are posed by contemplating this division. Are the Bruins going to repeat? Is our old buddy Jacques Martin going to get the Canadiens to play as well as they do at home; away from the Bell Centre? Did the Sabres spend enough money? Are the Leafs, who haven’t been to the playoffs since before the lockout (I’m one to talk), going to be different? Will the rebuilding Senators be a surprise and capture some of their success from 2007?

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