Sports Chowdah Recap- Jan 18-20; Sens Filibuster B's, Pistons Motor Past C's, Red Sox Close Deal W/Papelbon

Well, that sure sucked. After a 1-1-1 California road-trip the B's returned to Boston on Martin Luther King Day for the privilege of getting their asses handed to them by the Ottawa Senators. Tim Thomas was chased from net halfway through the second, Boston didn't get on the board until the 3rd period and Sens captian Daniel Alfredsson had a hat-trick in Ottawa's 5-2 win over the Bruins at the Garden. Alfredsson's third goal beat Tukka Rask about 2 minutes after he replaced Thomas in the 2nd period. The win puts the Sens ahead of Boston for second place in the division, and the B's will play the Columbus Blue Jackets at the garden Thursday night.

The Celtics aren't doing much better, having dropped two in a row coming into tonight's game against the Pistons. This was Rasheed Wallace's first game in Detroit as a former member of the Pistons, and it was pretty forgettable unless you were a Piston's fan. Wallace had 16 points overall and was 5 for 13 while Rajon Rondo was 8 of 16 with 21 points. Kevin Garnett will reportedly be in the lineup when the Celtics will take on the Portland Trailblazers Friday night. Boston has gone 4-8 since their nationally televised Christmas Day win against Orlando.

The Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon have avoided arbitration by reaching a 1-year $9.35 million contract. The deal also includes incentives for closing 60 or more games, winning an MVP or Cy Young award or an appearance in the All-Star game.