From the moment the puck dropped you knew this game had a different feeling. The Sens were over the shock of losing their star player and had started to gain a little confidence from the new players and started to mesh together. The first two periods were played differently by both teams starting off with really tight play in the first then turning more wide open starting with the second period. The game was not only played faster for the last 2 periods but included more hits. Eric Gryba and Mika Zibanejad continued with their strong play which has really helped Ottawa of late. But it wasn’t any of the former players mentioned that were tonight’s hero it was Coling Greening, who was benched for the last Battle of Ontario.
Feb 23, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Erik Condra (22) scores against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ben Scrivens (30) in the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
GAME RECAP
In the second round of the Battle of Ontario, the game was much closer and created far more chances. The first goal came from the stick of Mikhail Grabovski after Patrick Wiercioch couldn’t contain Jay McClement in the corner. About 7 minutes later it was Mika Zibanejad once again with another goal, he scored on a really nice tip-in from a Colin Greening shot.
The Second period although didn’t have as many goals was played at a faster pace and more wide open. It was a fairly interesting period to watch a lot of chances created on both sides but it was the Ottawa Senators that were able to benefit from a good bounce that Erik Condra got the credited for as the Sens took a 2-1 lead.
In the 3rd period the Senators were trying to hold the lead but that didn’t work out as the Toronto Maple Leafs dumped the puck into the Sens zone and Marc Methot couldn’t contain Grabovski as he sent the puck in the slot and Clarke MacArthur buried the puck in a scramble in front of the 6’7″ Ben Bishop. After it looked like we might be once again headed into the extra period, but it was Mika Zibanejad that won the offensive zone face-off that ended up going to Patrick Wiercioch which he fired away towards the Maple Leafs goaltender, Ben Scrivens. He couldn’t handle the shot which gave Colin Greening the opportunity to be the hero in which he cashed in on. Final was 3-2 Sens!
Goals:
1st Period
- Mikhail Grabovski from Nikolai Kulemin and Jay McClement
- Mika Zibanejad from Colin Greening and Erik Condra
2nd Period
- Erik Condra from Eric Gryba and Colin Greening
3rd Period
- Jay McClement from Mike Kostka and Nazem Kadri
- Colin Greening from Patrick Wiercioch and Mika Zibanejad
OBSERVATIONS
- The Sens continued to get good play from their call-ups. Specifically Gryba, Zibanejad and David Dziurzynski. It seems as if the coach, Paul MacLean, is gaining more confidence in Dziurzynski as the forward seems to also get more confidence in himself as he plays more games. So far so good for the Binghamton trio.
- One player I think is kind of flying under the radar is Andre Benoit. Since he made the team out of training camp he has fit in quite nicely in my opinion. He had seemed to get more comfortable now as the season gets older and it really shows. He plays the puck with confidence and really moves it well around the ice.
- Seems just like last year Kyle Turris is once again snake bitten. In the past 5 or so games he seems to be creating lots of chances along with Daniel Alfredsson but can’t find the back of the net. I figure at one point they will go in but he is playing well and not getting rewarded for it.
- So far in Craig Anderson‘s absence Ben Bishop has filled in nicely, he hasn’t had to play hard minutes quite yet but has kept Ottawa in games enough to give them the chance to win.
SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME
Colin Greening was tonight hero. He finished tonight’s game with a game winning goal and 2 assists along with a plus 3 rating. He seems to have received Paul MacLean‘s message as he has played well since that day. Must note that Zibanejad and Ben Bishop should be honorable mentions as they both played well tonight.
UP NEXT
The Senators will host another divisional rival in the Montreal Canadiens who like the Senators will have a day off tomorrow. The Habs once again showing their points aren’t a fluke, won 3-0 versus the New York Rangers, Carey Price being rewarded with the shutout. Puck drops at 7:30 P.M, game will be broadcast on Sporstnet(TV) and as always on Team 1200(Radio).