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 While they were unable to extend their winning streak to four, the
Flames still managed to sneak out of Canadian Tire Centre with
something to show from the last of a seven-game road trip.
"We're still missing a point," Hartley said after a six-round
shootout that was decided by Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson. "But
at the same time, looking at our situation, we leave with a point
here ... let's leave the building before the OPP (Ontario Provincial
Police) shows up."
Down 4-0 with just over 13 minutes left in regulation, the Flames
showed why they are recognized as one of the best third-period teams
in the league as they staged a four-goal rally that ended with the
second of the night for defenseman Kris Russell, just 2:18 from the
buzzer.
Karlsson allowed the Senators a breath of relief and a 5-4 victory
when he beat Flames goalie Jonas Hiller, and Senators goalie Craig
Anderson put a blocker in front of Calgary's last-chance shot off
the stick of winger Josh Jooris.
Ironically, Anderson was making his first start in more than six
weeks after being sidelined by a deep bone bruise in his blocker
hand Jan. 21.
"I felt pretty good," said Anderson, who made 42 saves leading up to
the shootout. "Especially though the first two periods. I was seeing
the puck pretty well.
"Give them some credit. They came out flying in the third and we
were just trying to weather it as best we could. To get it done in
overtime, we still got two points. That's the bottom line."
The win added to the most impressive stretch of the season for the
Senators, who have now grabbed 17 of a possible 18 points from their
last nine games.
They trail the Boston Bruins by five points in the race for the last
wild-card spot in the East, and they have a game in hand. The two
teams meet at Canadian Tire Centre Tuesday.
Senators goals by Alex Chiasson, Milan Michalek, Mike Hoffman and
defenseman Mark Borowiecki on 23 shots chased Flames starting goalie
Karri Ramo at 7:10 of the second period. Hiller was perfect in
relief, making 19 saves.
Center Joe Colborne and center Mikael Backlund had the other Calgary
goals.
"We just really got away from our game," said Borowiecki. "Got a
little too cute. Maybe we thought it was point night going into that
(third) period. Rack 'em up, pad the stats a little bit.
"But that's a good team. I think they're one of the best
third-period teams in the NHL right now. It was just kind of
unacceptable for us, especially at this point in the season. We need
every point we can get."
So do the Flames. Calgary is clinging to a playoff spot with a
two-point lead on the Los Angeles Kings.
Russell said the third-period rally in Ottawa adds to the confidence
the team has mustered from a 4-2-1 record on the trip.
[to top of second column] |
"Hopefully we're never in that situation, but it gives us confidence
that regardless of the score, we've got to keep going if we get one
and get some life, " said Russell, whose equalizer was a high wrist
shot from the point that beat Anderson on the glove side. "I think
we're happy with the point, but there's some things we have to
learn, especially about our starts."
Hartley also saw it as a character builder, even though he didn't
like what he saw the first half of the game.
"Our defensive zone coverage was just not there," he said. "We made
mistakes that usually we don't do. We missed some easy assignments.
I felt we were a much better team than what we showed in the first
and second period then we bounced back. Credit to our players. That
could be a point that, we never know, that could be a difference."
The Senators know they'll have to be better for Tuesday's visit by
the Bruins.
"I don't think we played our best hockey for any part of the 60
minutes, even though we got a 4-0 lead," said Karlsson. "We let it
slip away from us due to fatigue, but at this time of year
everybody's tired. It's not an excuse, and if you want to be an
elite team these are the games you've got to close out. You've got
to know how to play under pressure when you're tired."
Senators coach Dave Cameron was thrilled with how his No. 1 goalie
responded in his first game back.
"We give him lots of work," Cameron said of Anderson. "I thought he
was real good. Real, real, real good. It's good to see him back, see
him healthy again.
"I hope he's not allergic to rubber. He'll be dead."
NOTES: Senators coach Dave Cameron made the controversial decision
to sit G Andrew Hammond, who is 7-0-1 and is one of only two goalies
in the last 76 years to allow two or fewer goals in his first eight
starts. But Cameron said he needed to get some work for goalie Craig
Anderson, who was making his first start since Jan. 21 and said his
bruised right hand is still not 100 percent. ... The Senators
scratched D Jared Cowen and LW Colin Greening. ... Flames RW David
Jones was back in the lineup after missing one game with a
lower-body injury. ... The Flames scratched D Corey Potter, RW Emile
Poirier and LW Michael Ferland.
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