Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Perfect Road Game? Ottawa Runs Through Calgary 3-1 at the Saddledome

November 15, 2011, 11:51 PM ET [ Comments]
Travis Yost
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Make sure to follow Travis on Twitter!
--

As exciting as it is to play in some of the more raucous barns in the National Hockey League, a trip to Alberta is never easy. The Calgary Flames in particular are a tough squad to knock off, and Ottawa would know - before tonight, the Senators last win at the Saddledome came back in 2003.

But, tonight's 3-1 victory put an end to that rather heinous run. Paul MacLean had his troops fired up from the get-go, and Craig Anderson was absolutely sensational en route to a 3-1 victory.

There were plenty of quality performances on both ends, but it really starts and ends with the Ottawa netminder. Anderson's been beaten - somewhat unfairly - by the fans and media for his shoddy splits this season. But, even the most negative have to admit that the defense in front of him has been - to this point - lackluster. Anderson's been hung out to dry more than the average goalie, so his numbers were going to be negatively skewed.

Some of the criticism around his game was fair, though. He's given up the suspect goal on some nights, and tonight's only tally by the Calgary Flames - via Tom Kostopoulos - was just that. And yet, his 38 of 39 stops made everyone forget about one error, mostly because he made big save after big save.

His play on the penalty kill was perhaps the most vital. Ottawa's kill was absolutely worthless to start the year, but they've steadily improved after that ugly beginning. Sportsnet ran a statistic showing the numbers since Kaspars Daugavins - a key penalty killer for this team - joined the big league club. 87.5% rate, and only going up after another six for six performance. They're playing the body, forcing the offense into bad spots, and letting Craig Anderson see the puck.

In the end, it was Bobby Butler who put an exclamation point on the game. Daniel Alfredsson's tally to open the scoring was nice, but nothing like Butler's goal to grab back the lead in the third period. Vintage shake and bake just inside the blue line, beating Miikka Kiprusoff clean. For a guy as plagued as Butler was, many speculated it could be a new beginning of sorts for the maligned sophomore.

For those wondering, it took Bobby Butler precisely six-and-a-half minutes to again burn Calgary, another product of incredible work inside the offensive zone. The coaches have been praising his hard work and demeanor for weeks, so credit to them for not giving up so soon. Hopefully, he keeps the ball rolling.

With all of that, I'm checking out for the night. The Ottawa Senators are approaching the twenty-game mark, and currently are playing .500 hockey at 9-9-1. Let that resonate for a bit, and dial back in tomorrow for a News and Notes blog.

And now, let's celebrate an Ottawa Senators victory the only way we know how - Becky Black's return, baby.



A new low, even for her standards.

--


Thanks for reading!
Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment
More from Travis Yost
» Wrapping Things Up
» Enforcer
» Random Thoughts
» Shot Coordinate Fun
» Any Room?