Ottawa Senators Defeat NHL Leading Ducks 6-2
The Ottawa Senator picked up a big home win against the Anaheim Ducks. Ottawa put up a large number of goals against goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. The Senators now sit 14-12-6 on the year. It was another productive game from some of the Senators young stars. This was a huge win for the Senators. The Senators sit 11th in the Eastern Conference while the Anaheim Ducks are the top ranked team in the West. The Ducks are not only the best team in the west, they have the best record in the NHL sitting at 22-8-5.
First Period
The Senators earned a quick Power Play in the opening frame. Ben Lovejoy received a two minute minor for Holding against Clark MacArthur. The Senators capitalized on the power play at the 2:03 mark. The goal was scored when Milan Michalek redirected a beautiful slap-pass from Erik Karlsson. The Senators put the game at 2-0 when Mark Stone scored off a goal assists by Mark Borowiecki and Kyle Turris. The Senators had strong moments in the first period. The Ducks outshot the Senators 12-7. Despite being out shot, the Senators left the period with a 2-0 lead.
Second Period
The second period was highlighted by an absolutely beautiful short handed goal scored by Kyle Turris. Turris got a loose puck near the Senators end and took it all the way to the Ducks zone. Turris weaved in and out of Ducks players before firing the puck top shelf. Turris scored at the 16:18 mark of the 2nd period. Mike Hoffman scored an unassisted goal at the 16:59 mark. Ryan Getzlaf scored at the 19:16 mark off assists from Emerson Etem and Ben Lovejoy. The Senators exited the 2nd period with a 4-1 lead.
Third Period
The Senators did not let the game get away from them. The Ducks pushed the scored to 4-2 when Ryan Getzlaf scored at the 1:49 mark of the period. The Senators bounced back and scored two times in the third period. Mike Hoffman picked up his second goal of the game at the 5:40 mark. Mika Zibanejad scored his 9th goal of the season at the 19:32 mark. The Senators and Ducks both had twelve shots in the third period. The Senators won the game 6-2. A 4-1 lead going in to the third period was too much for the NHL leading Ducks to overcome. The Senators destroyed the Ducks winning the game 6-2.
Notes and Observations
- Craig Anderson provided the Senators with another solid outing. Anderson stopped 32-34 shot for a save percentage of .941 on the game. Anderson saved all five shots he faced during the power play. Anderson has an impressive .930 save percentage on the season.
- The Senators got off to an early lead and never let their foot of the gas. It is important to have/maintain a lead in hockey. This game was 4-1 going into the 3rd period and the Senators never let the Ducks backs into the game.
- The Senators are 3-1-1 under current Head Coach Dave Cameron. Hopefully they can continue their winning ways. The Senators would have a huge amount of momentum if they can knock off the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
The Senators visit the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 7:00 PM EST!