The Ottawa Senators wrapper to the 2014 Rookie Tournament came on a positive note, as the Sens prospects were able to step up with Curtis Lazar, Matt Puempel, and Frederik Claesson out of the lineup and defuse the star power of Teuvo Teravainen and Mark McNeill.
Game Recap:
The scoring opened up in the first with a goal from Chicago forward Mark McNeill
Tying the game later in the period was Senators forward Ryan Dzingel who continued his impressive tournament. Speed and intelligence are two elements of Dzingel’s game that are very evident. Dzingel should make his case for Binghamton’s top line center job in training camp.
Giving Chicago the advantage late in the first was Hawks prospect Viktor Svedberg, at 6 foot 9 all it took was standing in front of the net for Svedberg to put one past Chris Driedger.
Francis Perron scored for Ottawa on a nice shot early in the 2nd, bringing the game to a tie for the 2nd time.
Perron added a second on a breakaway with a 5 hole trickler in the late 2nd period. A big game for Perron was followed by comments made by Sens Assistant GM, Pierre Dorion who claimed the Sens have a very good prospect in Perron.
Keeping the game close once again was Blackhawks camp invitee Brett Welychka with another goal for Chicago. All tied up at three a piece.
Darren Kramer continued his scoring streak with a goal midway through the 3rd. That’s 3 goals in 3 games for Kramer, a guy who is known as an enforcer. The Gordie Howe hat-trick also graced Kramer as he added an assist on a previous goal and a fight in the 1st period.
Teuvo Terravainen made a beautiful no look pass to Mark McNeill who buried his 2nd of the night. The former first round picks were 2 of only 3 on the ice.
Regulation didn’t solve the puzzle and overtime proved nothing, off to the shootout went Chicago and Ottawa.
Horn sounds. We're off to the skills competition. #SensRooks
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 16, 2014
In a head to head “skills competition” where two goals were scored quickly by Ottawa’s Shane Prince and Chicago’s Mark McNeill. Nick Paul finished the shootout after 6 rounds, giving Ottawa the win.
Rookie Tournament Final Thoughts:
Sens goaltender, Chris Driedger stepped up in the second, looking much more confident. Stopping 46 shots was he, when the Baby Hawks outshot the Young Sens 50 – 33.
The powerplay was not a force for either side tonight. Each club went 0/7 on the PP through the 2nd.
Francis Perron clearly had a big game, scoring two goals. Max McCormick continued his impressive campaign during his first Rookie Tournament. Ben Harpur was Ottawa’s best defenseman and followed up well on his 4 assist night, last night vs Toronto.
Matt Puempel can look back at his performance on Saturday and Sunday and shows the Senators organization he is close to contending for an NHL position, whereas Curtis Lazar can contend for that position.
Attention now turns to Ottawa’s main camp which opens Thursday and will feature all those competing for a spot on the Sens roster.