Game Report: Bruins Down Sens 1-0

(source: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)

Your Ottawa Senators looked to stop the red hot Boston Bruins tonight who were riding a five game winning streak. While the B’s looked to go a perfect 6-0 on their current six game road trip. With all the trade deadline kerfuffle behind both teams, Ottawa iced what they could as they had to deal with injuries and trades. Having ten new faces on the team that did not start the year in Ottawa, the Sens were in tough against the Stanley Cup contending Bruins.

The first two periods were very fast paced. With both teams playing tight-checking, cautious hockey, the teams traded scoring as both goalies were amazing. Ottawa outshot Boston 24-15 as they threw everything they had at Tuukka Rask. They could not beat the young Finn and didn’t earn any man-advantages.

The third period started off fast, as the Bruins attacked the Sens net. Off a shot from the point, Nathan Horton  buried the puck in a goal-front scramble. Holding on to the lead, the Bruins played smart as they knew not to under estimate this young Sens squad. Getting two powerplay chances, Ottawa could not convert and fell in the end, 1-0 to the Bruins.

The Positives

Jason Spezza  was all over the ice tonight. Being to only real offensive threat on the team, Spezza has raised his game since coming back from his injury. Playing the most of any forward on either team, Spezza had four shots on net and was a leader on the ice.

Ottawa’s young forwards  had a great game. Nick Foligno, Ryan Shannon and Colin Greening were spark plugs out there. Chasing down every puck, skating hard and creating chances, these three earned the extra playing time they got.

Derek Smith  was the most recent call-up from the Binghamton Senators. Playing in two games last season, Smith looked better this time than his last outing. In his last call-up, Smith looked overwhelmed and outmatched against NHLer’s. But tonight, Smith was calm and poised. Hopefully this lesser known prospect gets another opportunity to show us what he’s got.

The Negatives

Considering the inexperienced roster and superior opponent, Ottawa did not have any glaring negatives tonight that are worth mentioning.

Here are the Game Highlights courtesy of NHL.com

***Three Stars***

First Star: Tuukka Rask – earns it with a 33 save shutout.

Second Star: Craig Anderson – as always, kept the Sens in the game with his stellar play.

Third Star: Derek Smith – had a solid outing and held his own against a tough Bruins team.

The Sens showed tonight why they should not be taken lightly. With the youth on the team, Ottawa plays an up-tempo aggressive style of play that will catch teams off guard. Next up is the Atlanta Thrashers  on Tursday night. ‘Til next time, GO SENS GO!!!

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