Game Recap: Sens Win A Barn Burner 6-5 Over Hawks Rookies
Your Ottawa Senators rookies battled the Chicago Blackhawks rookies in a spirited affair. With both teams icing young rosters, the pace of the game was very quick. With the Hawks playing last night, Ottawa should of had the upper hand, but the game was pretty evenly matched.
First Period
The first was a fast paced, back-and-forth battle as both teams attacked each others goal. Ottawa got on the board first as Mika Zibanejad won the offensive zone face-off and slipped a nice pass to Andre Petersson for his second goal of the tournament. The Blackhawks’ Peter Leblanc erased Ottawa’s lead as they were able to beat Sens’ tender Matej Machovsky as they caught the Sens sleeping in their zone. Then on a great individual effort, Corey Cowick scored his third of the tourney after his strong forecheck on the penalty kill was rewarded with a goal. With a 2-1 lead, the Brandon Saad show took over. With two quick goals, Saad put the Hawks ahead 3-2 after 20 minutes.
Second Period
The second period was different as it saw the Stephane Da Costa show take over this game. Scoring early in the period as he was allowed to walk in alone, Da Costa blasted his second of the game from the point on the power play a few minutes later. And to finish off the hat trick, Da Costa was allowed to blast another bomb from the point to put Ottawa up 5-3. Jimmy Hayes responded for the Hawks to cut the lead to one going into the third.
Third Period
The third saw the intensity pick up as the game was still in hand for both teams. Zibanejad gave the Sens a two goal lead as he was able to snap a shot through the Hawks tender. But once again, the Sens got scored on in the moments after they scored as Hayes buried his second of the game. It was a rush to the end as both teams battled until the final buzzer. The final was a 6-5 Ottawa win.
+ The Pluses +
+ SHANE PRINCE was all over the ice using his speed to create a number of chances. He didn’t burry any, by he’s getting close.
+ STEPHANE DA COSTA looked dangerous last game and this game make his mark. With the natural hat in the second period, he made a strong statement today to Sens management.
– The Minuses –
– CONCENTRATION Ottawa got scored on right after they scored on three separate occasions. It didn’t cost them the game, but it might in the future.
***Three Stars***
* First Star ~ STEPHANE DA COSTA ~ notched three goals as he showed that he was the best forward on the ice.
** Second Star ~ BRANDON SAAD ~ looked dangerous every time he touched the puck. Notched two goals and an assist.
*** Third Star ~ MIKA ZIBANEJAD ~ had a goal and two assists in his breakout game.
This game was a little less structured then the Sens-Pens game yesterday, but Ottawa was able to come together and still pull out the win. Their star prospects rose to the top and were able to get them on the board and outscore the Hawks rookies. Next up will be a practice day tomorrow, then they will finish off the Rookie Tournament on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leaf rookies.
Check back here on SenShot for a complete game preview before tomorrow’s game.
’Til next time Sens Army, GO SENS GO!!!
**Don’t forget to buy your Tickets for SenShot’s Alfie Night in Ottawa on November 11th, 2011. Click here for more details**
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for reading and as always, comments are welcomed.
Can’t get enough of SenShot? Here are more ways to get the most info about your Ottawa Senators.
You can follow us on Twitter: Tony @13thforward, Jared @alfieisgod, Derrick @DerrickvonBrose and Brandy @brandychadala.
Visit our SenShot Facebook Page. Like us and post comments, photos and videos.
Please visit our NHL Main Page: Too Many Men On The Site.