The Ottawa Senators have played two preseason games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first game resulted in a 4-3 regulation loss this past Sunday, and the second game resulted in a 3-2 overtime win last night.
Both games saw progress from young players trying to crack the Senators' opening night roster. Two young players in particular have been Olle Lycksell and Donovan Sebrango.
Although the skaters have been a focus in preseason, two players playing in between the pipes have been focused on among the goaltending battle in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. So far, both goaltenders have been off to solid starts to be the top goaltender in Belleville.
Sogaard and Shepard have been steady so far in preseason
This upcoming season, Belleville will need to find a top goaltender with Leevi Merilainen expected to get more starts as Linus Ullmark's backup after Anton Forsberg left this off-season. Two candidates are Mads Sogaard and Hunter Shepard. So far in preseason, both Sogaard and Shepard have been steady.
At 24 years old, Sogaard has had NHL struggles. Last season, Sogaard had rough numbers in both the NHL and AHL. Sogaard last played an AHL game in January then would miss the remainder of the season due to injury.
On Sunday, Sogaard played the remaining two periods of the first Senators-Maple Leafs game after Ullmark had a rough first period when he allowed in three goals in the first period. Sogaard did allow a rough powerplay goal to Matthew Barbolini in the second period, but stood tall the remainder of the game. Sogaard stopped 11-of-12 Maple Leaf shots on goal he faced for the entire game.
Shepard joined the Senators this off-season at 29 years old after having success with the Hershey Bears. Shepard helped lift Hershey to two Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024, but had NHL struggles with the Washington Capitals.
Last night, Shepard got to play at the start of the third period after Merilainen played in the first two periods of the second Senators-Maple Leafs game. Shepard stopped all eight shots on goal he faced to keep the Senators in their game, which eventually they won in overtime.
Both Sogaard and Shepard needed to have a strong start to the new season. With 20-year-old Kitchener Ranger star Jackson Parsons rising, both Sogaard and Shepard will have a tough battle to win the number one goaltender on the depth chart. However, Sogaard and Shepard having a solid start to the preseason is helping both of them get on the right track to start the new season.
Four Ottawa preseason games remain and two begin in October in Belleville for both Sogaard and Shepard to make more improvement ahead of the start of the season.