Jason Spezza’s Hat Trick Pushes The Senators Past The Coyotes 4-3

The Senators had a far better first period in Phoenix then they had against any of the California teams, outshooting The Coyotes 12-4 in the first frame. Jason Spezza may have scored some gritty goals but his natural hat trick lead The Senators to victory from 2 goals down 4-3 in O.T.

Oct 15, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) carries the puck as Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone (26) defends during the second period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP:

It was former Senator Rob Klinkhammer scoring his 3rd goal in 2 games off of a clean offensive faceoff win from former longtime Senator Antoine Vermette. Just over a minute later on the exact same play, Radim Vrbata snapped a quick wrist shot beating a screened Craig Anderson post and in for his team leading 4th of the year.

Jason Spezza took over from there. Patrick Wiercioch made a terrific play, skating wide around the defender and centering the puck for an easy open net tap in for Spezza. At the beginning of the 3rd period it was Colin Greening making good of a bad Mike Smith turnover, Greening tee’d up Spezza for his second empty net goal. 8 minutes into the 3rd, Michael Boedker took a too many men on the ice penalty for The Yotes. On the ensuing Power Play Jason Spezza was left unguarded just below the point and he ripped a slap shot past the screened Mike Smith to give Ottawa their first lead of the game.

The coyotes responded with one of their own to tie things at 3 as Mike Ribeiro tipped home an Oliver Ekman Larsson point shot on the power play. Both teams locked up 1 point going into overtime. Corey Conacher, who was lingering around The Yotes net all game finished on a beautifully time fake slap-pass from Marc Methot.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Jason Spezza made himself the easy choice tonight, the new Sens captain recorded his fifth career hat trick and in one game leaped to catch Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris in points leader (5) among teammates this season. If it weren’t for the hat trick Spezza recorded however, I don’t think Spezza would have been player of the game. He committed far too many turnovers in all three zones with fancy, unneeded drop passes. Corey Conacher was runner up and maybe more deserving.

UP NEXT:  

The Senators finally return to the CTC to face a much lesser opponent The New Jersey Devils on Thursday. The Senators at least return to Ottawa riding a positive with a Sun tan as they closed out a very negative, neverending western road trip.