Third Period Outburst Leads Ottawa Senators Past Boston Bruins 4-2

The Ottawa Senators weathered the storm, and in the end took advantage of a Bruins’ team that played an overtime game in Boston the night before, and skated away with 3 third period goals to come from behind and defeat the Bruins 4-2.  It capped a solid game for the Senators, and a rebound for their #1 goalie, who was the subject of some debate in the past couple of days around Canada’s Capital.

Nov 15, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing

(16) collides with Boston Bruins goalie

(40) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

The Bruins opened the scoring six minutes in when Patrice Bergeron and Jason Spezza scrambled a draw in the Ottawa zone.  The puck ended up getting back to Matt Bartkowski , whose shot from point was deflected  by Loui Eriksson at the hash marks past Craig Anderson.  Brad Marchand beat Anderson to double the lead, walking in across the Ottawa blue line and firing a quick wrist shot to make it 2-0.  When thoughts went back to Tuesday’s 5-0 drubbing, Chris Neil got one back just before the first period ended, picking off a pass at the Boston blue line and sending a wrist shot past Tuukka Rask. The Bruins outshot the Senators 13-7, and led 2-1 after 20 minutes.

The second period was largely uneventful, with each team getting one power play, and both clubs killing off the man disadvantages.

Jason Spezza got the Senators even early in the third, just 1:32 in.  He was alone at the side of the net and tapped home a cross-ice pass from Erik Karlsson for the goal.    Jared Cowen gave the Senators their first lead of the game, firing a shot off the side boards that went through the five-hole of Rask.  Bobby Ryan added an insurance marker, taking a giveaway and putting a snap shot past Rask.  Ottawa continued to capitalize on the tired legs of the Bruins, and Ryan missed a golden opportunity to make it a 3 goal game, but lost the handle after deking around Rask.   Ryan left the game with an injury after being elbowed in the face by Dennis Seidenberg with about 3 and a half minutes left in the game.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

With a goal and an assist, Spezza led the way offensively, and he also played well in his own end.  An honorable mention to Craig Anderson who settled down after a shaky start and played well in the final 50 minutes.

THOUGHTS & OBSERVATIONS

• Not sure how Seidenberg was not penalized at all for the blatant elbow on Ryan. He waited for Ryan to come at him, and then drove his elbow right into Ryan’s chin.
• Iginla’s penalty late in the third just after the Seidenberg/Ryan incident ruined any chance for a late comeback.
• It was a great win for the Senators, allowing just over 30 shots, and getting key goals from key players.

UP NEXT

The Columbus Blue Jackets come to Canadian Tire Centre for a Sunday matinee, coming in off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.