In a rather quiet weekend for Ottawa Sports, the Senators made sure to make their lone game count. In a Saturday afternoon tilt against the Boston Bruins, who have performed under expectations so far this season, the Senators marked a 3-2 shootout win. Despite never holding a lead, the Senators overcame two separate one-goal deficits to force overtime and the shootout, securing new head coach Dave Cameron his first NHL victory. Scorching hot Mika Zibanejad faked out Boston goalie Tuukka Rask to score on a nice breakaway feed from Mike Hoffman, while veteran David Legwand potted his fifth powerplay goal of the season to tie the game in the third period. Robin Lehner continued his strong play on the season, turning aside 29 shots and stopping two of three Boston shootout attempts. Shootout goals by Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan sealed the victory for Ottawa. The Senators now have 29 points in 29 games, but need to start making some traction if they hope to make the playoffs.
The Senators have a busy week on the schedule. It kicks off with a game tonight against the Sabres in Buffalo. This game was rescheduled from February to accommodate a Sabres-NY Rangers game that was delayed due to the Buffalo snowstorm last month. The road trip continues on Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils, before returning home for a Friday night clash with the Anaheim Ducks. The busy week concludes in an exciting Saturday night matchup in Montreal against the Canadiens.
The Ottawa 67’s, meanwhile, can’t seem to escape their seesaw ways. A Friday/Saturday home and home series with the Belleville Bulls saw each team mark a 4-1 victory on home ice. The 67’s share an almost parallel record with their NHL counterparts, sitting with 30 points 29 games into the season. Goaltender Leo Lazarev continued his strong play in the absence of injured starting netminder Liam Herbst, as he stopped 33 shots in both games. Alternate captain Erik Bradford continued his strong play in his overage season, notching an additional points to move just shy of a point-per-game on the season. UpFront Ottawa darling Dante Salituro contributed another goal to push his season total to 22. Salituro scored 22 goals last season in 68 games, and has equalled his career high in just 29 games.
The 67’s have a crowded schedule before the Christmas break begins. They face off with the Frontenacs in Kingston this Wednesday night, then continue the road trip with games against the Mississauga Steelheads and Barrie Colts on Friday and Saturday nights. If the 67’s can turn around their desperately bad 3-12 road record, they can make waves in the Eastern Conference.
Title image courtesy of Ottawa 67’s.
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