The once fertile opportunities of the Ottawa Senators sneaking into that final wild card position in the east is pretty much out of sight now, having lost 5 of their last 10 games. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Pierre Dorion had built himself a highly competitive team lead by Brady Tkachuk at over a point a game and rising superstar Tim Stutzle at 34 goals and 43 assists to date.
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to stir the stew pot, going back to a more traditional 12F – 6d lineup. Coming out tonight were Noel (Cookie) Accuari (pre-cautionary), Mark Giordano (rest) and Gusstaven (numbers). Back in were Bobby McMann, Wayne Simmonds and Justin Holl.
The Canadian Tire Centre was rockin’ as it always is when the Battle of Ontario is on tap. The Senators got off to a great start with 3 legitimate chances in close on Matt Murray. My growing affection for Jake McCabe continued as he opened the scoring, placing a perfect shot thanks to John Tavares and Mitchell Marner. Marc Gauthier got credit for a mysterious, high deflection goal with less than 6 minutes left to tie things up. Murray made several steady saves throughout which reflected in the final SOG 19-9 for Ottawa.
A Leafs Power Play at the 15 minute mark didn’t mean much as budding superstar Tim Stutzel scored his 35th to help his team take a 2-1 lead. Wait a minute – that seemed to have pissed the Toronto club off as Mitchell scored short side from an astute pause to zing one in short side on the same PP. That was Mitchy’s 26th g and 89th point. Underrated Calle Jarnkrok (the new “Swiss Army Knife ?) placed a perfect Mathews feed to score the 3rd Leaf goal on just 14 shots. Intermission 3-2 TML.
Whose game was this more important to ? The “chip on their shoulder” Ottawa Sens or the “staying ahead of the Lightning” Leafs ? Emerging steady-man Calle Jarnkrok kept the Toronto ahead of the race by converting his career high 17th from his new centreman AM34 (his 70th point). That Brady Tkachuk guy just doesn’t go away. As witnessed by his comeback goal just 62 seconds later. An Ottawa offside goal call back kept the game at 4-3, but the Sens weren’t about to turtle. That annoying (but highly respected) Brady Tkachuk scored his 30th to tie the game at 4’s. Final SOG 52-29 Ottawa.
OVERTIME: as always, great end to end, 3 on 3 action – hilte of which was another big Murray stop – this time on a Stutzle breakaway. After a 9 round shootout, Alex Kerfoot won it for the Leafs – GREAT GAME to watch !
HOPPER NOTES: First look at Jacob Chychryn – SO ? .…Bobby McMann didn’t look out of place (loved seeing him in the shootout!)…I thought Liligren looked pretty solid…was Nylander dropped down because of his passive performance on Friday ? …they really don’t need Ron Maclean to baby sit the 32 thoughts segment do they ? …guys I wish I had on my team: Jay Sanderson…when will Matt Murray finally get punished for knocking his own net off the moorings ? … to all the Kellaways, Pattersons, Gales, Higgins, O’Briens and McBrides in my life – I hope your heads are OK today ! CHEERS