Checking From Behind Pulling No Punches

It wasn't the way the Senators wanted last night's 6-5 overtime loss against the Predators to end, but such is life and they have to be proud of their team's effort.

Ottawa managed to find a way to get all of their lines scoring last night, and everyone chipped in to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the first period to a 6-5 overtime loss at the end of the game. Ten Senator players had a point last night, but Carkner and Picard certainly were the two defensemen who suffered with a collective -7 on the ice.

Last night was also a record breaking performance with 8 goals scored by a defenseman in the game: Volchenkov (1st of the year), Phillips, Campoli (1st of the year), Weber (2 goals, including the 50th goal of his career and the game winner), Suter (2 goals) and Franson. The previous record was seven, set on Dec. 4, 1992 in a game between Washington and the New York Rangers.

It was certainly an exciting finish to the third period. A misplay by Pekka Rinne had Alfredsson picking up the puck from Fisher. He then found Phillips creeping in from the point to bury it home with 2 seconds left in the game.

The overtime period was a bit of a different story. Newly extended Matt Carkner took an interference call near the offensive blueline that led to Weber's powerplay overtime winner.

The only real complaint Sens fans must be a bit worried about is knowing the Senators managed to bury 5 opportunities, and Kovalev was not part of a single play. He played 17:21 of ice time, had just 1 shot on goal of the Senators collective 32, and was a -1. He really needs to find a way to motivate his game because he is not playing anywhere near the type of talent he had last season in Montreal.

The Senators will now prepare for their home game on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.

Micheal A. Aldred

michealaldred@hotmail.com