The Battle Ontario has begun, and first blood has been spilled. Last night the Ottawa Senators took down the Toronto Maple Leafs by the score of 6-3.
Coming into the game the Leafs were one of the hottest teams in the league and the Ottawa Senators were coming off two defeats. However, it would be Ottawa to win the game.
First Period
The first period started well for the Ottawa Senators as the controlled the pace of the play. The Leafs were unable to get anything going and the Sens dominated play. Then, halfway through the period, the Sens got the first goal of the game. In a scramble in front of the net, Nate Thompson found his first goal as an Ottawa Senator and gave the Sens the lead. The score would stay the same for the remainder of the period.
Second Period
The second period was much of the same as the Sens controlled the play. Mark Stone nearly scored early on the period off a turnover but rang his shot off the post. Ryan Dzingel started the scoring in the second period off a tip in with five minutes left. Then in the dying moments of the period, Derick Brassard scored to give the Sens a 3-0 period going into intermission.
Third Period
Entering the third period the Sens had one job, protect the lead. However, after the Leafs score two quick goals there was serious concern with the Sens lead reduced to one. However, just seven seconds after Matthews scored to make it 3-2, Stone capitalized on a defensive breakdown by the Leafs and scored to make it 4-2.
The Leafs would then score with seven minutes remaining to bring the score to within one, but Brassard scored four minutes later to secure the game. Stone added an empty netter to give the Sens a 6-3 victory.
Wrap Up
The game as a whole was a good one for the Sens. They dominated the first two periods of play and when they broke down in the third they were able to bring it back. The Sens out shot the Leafs and defeated one of the best teams in the league. Both Brassard and Stone scored two goals and three points. Karlsson added three assists as well to give him six in his past two games.
Next: Ottawa Senators Look To Shut Down The Toronto Offence
Next Game
The Ottawa Senators play next on Tuesday when they host the Las Angeles Kings.