Simply a blow-out for the Senators tonight.

After struggling for the first few minutes the Sens cranked up the voltage and never looked back.

Highlight of the game was Milan Michalek's first NHL Hat-Trick (2 Shorthanded and 1 Power play)

It's nice to see the center-piece of the Heat-bag trade really stepping up and burring the puck.

And for those keeping track:
Milan Michalek - 4 Goals
Dany Heatley - 5 Goals

Not too shabby at all, considering Michalek came with an additional piece of depth in Cheechoo.
-------------------------------------

Back to the game -

Anyone that watched the game saw Ottawa reaping the rewards of their new-found defensive system.

The Sens forced turnover after turnover, battled in every corner and simply were quicker to the puck than any of the lightning.

Pascal Leclaire went largely untested and was solid. (With the exception of the Malone goal.)

On the other side, the Lightning’s looked sluggish and simply not ready or interested in the game until it was well out of hand.

You truly had to feel for Mike Smith and wonder why Tocchet wouldn't just pull him for Antero.

Also watching Matt Carkner hunt down everyone that touch Leclaire was something special to watch, the team-first attitude this season is something the Sens have been lacking for the last two years.

It was a loud celebration and it was feel good moment for everyone at SBP and all Sens fans watching at home, to see Nick Foligno score a goal on "Hockey Fights Cancer" night. You have to believe this goal was a big goal for him, after his mom passed away from cancer last season. Congrats Nick.
-----------------------------

From now on I'll be keeping a running tab on who A-train clobbers game after game. (Specifically rookies)

So here is the inaugural "A-Train Tracks" (Name pending - if you hate the name let me know, I'll come up with something better)

Victor Stalberg
John Tavares
Zach Bogosian
Victor Hedman
------------------------------

For those that don't read The Hockey News frequently, (The Blackberry app is awesome to have when bored) they have an article by Ryan Kennedy about putting a big man in front of the net to screen goalies and shovel the rebounds in......attributing it to Tomas Holmstrom and nicknaming it "The Homer Effect".

Sadly Ryan either has forgotten, or it was simply before his time when the Ottawa Senators would plug big ole Zdeno Chara in front of the net to screen and shovel the rebounds (garbage goals) in.

Ottawa truly had perfected this long before the Red Wings and Homer did, and before Ottawa, the Edmonton Oilers had Ryan Smyth playing the role of "Johnny on the spot."

Still a pretty good read, despite leaving out 2 of the better shovelling players.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/28551-THNcom-Blog-Big-bodies-finding-new-home-on-power-play.html
---------------------------------

The big new blog/feature I was referring to will go up tomorrow and should be a great piece for Sens fans.

Mark Christopher
M_Christopher@live.ca

Join the Discussion: Chat Room » Message Board »

» Well that was easier than expected...Updated: Donovan out

» One-goal games continue

» 2 games, two losses, two different playing styles.

» Opportunity to steady the ship with Oil

» Another game ruined...