The Senators Defeat The Leafs 3-2 In The Second (Pre) Battle Of Ontario

The Senators met The Leafs for the second and final pre season match-up between the two Ontario based teams. The Senators out shot the Leafs 37-27 despite having a relatively weaker line-up leading them to a 3-2 victory.

Sep 24, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goaltender Robin Lehner (40) and defenceman Joe Corvo (77) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) watch a loose puck during the third period at the Air Canada Centre. Ottawa defeated Toronto 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Senators starting Line-up:

Forwards:

Clarke MacArthur–Kyle Turris–Mark Stone

Dave Dziurzynski–Zack Smith–Chris Neil

Colin Greening–Stephane Da Costa–Andre Petersson

Corey Cowick-Jim O’Brien-Buddy Robinson

Defence:

Jared Cowen–Patrick Wiercioch

Mark Borowiecki-Cody Ceci

Michael Sdao-Joe Corvo

Goaltenders:

Robin Lehner

Game Recap:

• The Leafs opened the scoring early in the second frame as James Van Riemsdyk protected the puck with his body as he turned in from behind the net going high on Robin Lehner
• The Sens answered quickly, Colin Greening advanced the puck the puck to the on coming Zack Smith who beat James Reimer 5-hole to tie things at 1.
• O’Brien appears to have got away with a kick in goal that is not re-viewable in the pre season. Non the less The Senators took their first lead of the game on a 3 on 2 play set up from a terrific fake slap pass from Wiercioch.
• The Senators made it 3-1 shortly after as Greening finished on a fortunate bounce that left him open beating Reimer high to the blocker side.
• The Leafs answered that goal on a 2 on 1 play as Joffrey Lupul fed Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf who beat Lehner to make it 3-2.

Senshot player of the game: 

For the second game in a row Patrick Wiercioch was The Senshot player of the game. Wiercioch made many impossible passes look easy, creating scoring chances for his team and was an overall force for the Senators. It certainly appears like Wiercioch will be a household name league wide this season and if the pre season is a true testament than Wiercioch may be the next All Star Sens defenseman.

Notes and observations:

• Da Costa was very noticeable again tonight creating many quality scoring chances on James Riemer. The Leaf goalie was the only reason Da Costa did not come away with a multi-point night
• Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen. Weircioch and Cowen looked good together, Cowen played the body well and kept the opposition to the outside while Wiercioch did the rest offensively.
• Mark Stone’s audition in the top 6. Stone had some chances tonight and most certainly can keep up far better than last year. While his skating didn’t appear to hold him back, I’m not sure Stone did enough to earn another chance at that spot.
• Cody Ceci. Ceci looked very good at times and not so much at others. On the positive side Ceci is far closer to becoming an NHLer than he was. His speed and skill with the puck was on display but his play away from the puck needs improvement.
• Sdao and Corvo. Uh Oh Joe was back at it tonight, the pairing of Sdao and Corvo was guilty of turning the puck over inside their own zone several times. Corvo was the better of the two but this was certainly The Senators weakness from a defensive standpoint
• Robin Lehner. Lehner played another solid game, he came up with some real good stops despite being fairly inactive early in the game. The two that beat him should have beat him and he kept the rest out so that is certainly a good sign.

Up Next:

The Senators will not have to wait long for their next pre season competition as they travel home to play The Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night at the CTC. The Senators will likely have a much stronger line-up to face the Canadiens in their 4th exhibition contest. The Sens head into the battle now 3-1 in the pre season.