Senators Blow Out Canadiens

Montreal, Quebec (CP) –

Tonight’s game against the Canadiens was going to be a big game for the Senators on their quest to make the playoffs. Did they ever show up tonight with a trouncing and really huge 6-2 victory over the Habs.

“It was a winnable game, we know the Canadiens always come out hard to play us, but there having a tough season and you have to win games like this, and be dominate like we did. They are our rival forsure but we really took them to task tonight. They like to play that physical game with us, which is fine, but on the score sheet we really became the victors.”, said Coach Wilson.

It was an impressive game all around for the Sens, and they actually looked like the team that was supposed to be one of the cup favorites heading into the regular season. What really got the Senators going was the team was able to capitalize on the power play scoring four times out of eight.

“We really had to win this game, coaches were telling us we fought hard to get back into the playoff picture after being close to eight points out, and its going to be a battle, we know we can’t win all of them, but we have to win the games we can.”, said Sergei Gonchar

Gonchar was the real iron man for the Senators playing a outstanding 27:56 minutes tonight, and got the Senators on board first. Gonchar was acquired in early January to help out and give them another puck moving defenseman to go along with Alex Goligoski. Since then in 27 games he has put up 14 points (5G-9A).
“He really has played tremendous for us, and were going to sit down in the next couple weeks and really start hammering out extensions with some of our upcoming free agents and we’d love to bring Sergei (Gonchar) ,and Ryan (Smyth) back. They bring tremendous leadership and experience with our young nucleus, they complement our team very well.”, said Burkholder.

Tomorrow the Senators take on the Philadelphia Flyers which could be a possible playoff preview.

Sens Beat Isles

Long Island, NY (CP)- The Ottawa Senators have been on a slight roll winning two straight, and now they have to go against another playoff team in the New York Islander who sat 6th in the Eastern Conference before the game with the Senators. As for the Senators they were still sitting on the outside by just a point, and a win would keep pace or even take over the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.  The Senators really have been propelled by new starter in Jonas Hiller who has been playing very well and last night’s game showed why he was acquired, Only allowing two goals on twenty six shots, and really took control in the second and third period.  “Jonas Hiller has played terrific for us since we acquired him, many thought the deal was just going to hurt us, instead Hiller really has found himself between the pipes for us.”, said Coach Wilson. As for the game the Islanders got on the board with a power play goal from Blake Wheeler due to the Sergei Gonchar trip. Like most of the season the opposition team gets on the board first, and the Senators come roaring back, which they were led by none other than Senator star Marian Gaborik who ended up with four points on the night. Sergei Gonchar was fed by Gaborik to tie it up and to make up for his goal he caused on special teams. In the beginning of the second period Vincent Lecavalier scored to give the Senators 2-1 lead, and all of a sudden Marian Gaborik took over and netted two unanswered goals in the 2nd period. Patrick Sharp for the Islanders cut the lead to two, but it was just a little too late for the Islanders to mount a comeback. “I wanted to lead by example, and I want to the playoffs this season, and you have to make plays, and that’s what I did. Hopefully it sparks something in this team, we have the potential to be great, but sometimes we just can’t take it to the next level.”, said Marian Gaborik. The Senators now will go against their bitter rival Montreal Canadiens where the Senators have went 0-1-2, and will the Senators continue to be on the roll, or will the Senators of old rear its ugly head?

Sens Beat Oilers in Shootout

Ottawa, Ontario (CP) - The Ottawa Senators headed back home to face one of the best in the West in the Edmonton Oilers who has a 30-11-2 record heading into last nights game. The Senators are still battling and fighting for that #8 spot in the East and are only one point out with the season heading into the back stretch every game will be important now with such a tight grouping for that 8th and final spot. “We were heading into this game like it was a post season game.”, said Coach Wilson. “The Oilers are stacked and we were shut out last time we played them and we wanted to fight back and show you we are a team to be reckoned with.” This is also the first game where Nathan Horton will return from his sprained abdominal muscle which caused him to miss close to a months worth of action. Also it showed the new starting goalie Jonas Hiller, along with two way defender Jamie McBain. The game started out tough as the Oilers took a 2-0 lead by two goals from star Corey Perry. The Oilers took that commanding lead less than five minutes into the game, and the fans in Ottawa grew restless as they thought only big lose is about to happen. Instead the Senators showed their heart once again and scored three unanswered goals. Vincent Lecavalier scored in the 2nd period, and Michael Ryder, and Toni Lydman gave the Sens the lead early in the third period. The Oilers pulled Henrik Lundqvist and ended up scoring in the draining seconds into third period.  This marks the tenth overtime game for the Senators and the teams matched their pace as they went into the shootout where both goalies played exceptionally well, until the Senators Vincent Lecavalier scored the game winning goal on the last shot. “The script seems to be the same, we start out sluggish get ourselves in a hole, and we come back, give the lead up, and head into overtime. This time we came out on the winning side. Vinny (Lecavalier) played excellent tonight, and so did Sammy (Gagner). Were keeping up pace and were finally healthy and we’ll see what our team does now.”, said Coach Wilson. Unfortunally the Senators are still one point out the 8th seed that is currently in the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, and tomorrow the Senators take on who currently sits in 7th spot with the New York Islander.  “We have to play tomorrow like it’s a playoff game, and every game we need to have the mentality it’s a win or go home situation. We are showing some strong play and we have to take these last thirty or so games left and take advantage of what’s left.”, said Wilson.

In the Rotunda - Alex Galchenyuk

C Alex Galchenyuk Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA) Age: 19, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 205lbs, Shoots: Left Drafted: 2012 - 1(3) Acquired: Drafted Stats Stats: 2012/13 Stats: Montreal (NHL): 24GP, 3G-10A-13P, 10PIM, +7 3 OHL Seasons (Sarnia): 103GP, 58G-86A-144P, 75PIM, +4 Overview New General Manager promised that the Senators would be a major player during the 2012 offseason after a dismal 2011-12 Season, and it really started at the draft when GM Burkholder moved up from Anaheim and selected Alex Galchenyuk. The price was very steep but this season you see why they paid that price. Many draft pundits before the draft were scared off because his injury that kept him out of the Sarnia last season, but some pundits thought he could of went first overall, and some even believe he is better than his former teammate Nail Yakupov. Galchenyuk posses all the skills you want from a franchise center man. This Year’s Assessment  Galchenyuk is an elite offensive talent for the Senators prospect pool and is playing in the NHL as teenager this season. Since the sixth game of the year, he dominated the OHL and scored at nearly an average of three points per game. The talented centerman will gain far more valuable experience at the NHL level as long as he sees over 10 minutes a night. Galchenyuk's outstanding skill set is undeniable and has not been seen by Senators fans in a very long time. His maturity for such a young player along with his excellent work ethic and desire to become a better NHL player are incredible. Galchenyuk has elite vision and playmaking skills which allows him to make quick sharp passes as well as soft touch plays that look effortless. He continues to make things happen offensively every game and has impressed his teammates with his great attitude. He should be a future franchise player for the Ottawa Senators in the very near future. GM Burkholder’s Thoughts We were going into the draft hoping this kid was going to be there for us at number three, really Ryan Murray would have been an ok consolation prize, but this was the kid who I really wanted. This kid has the pedigree and skills to be a star in the OTHL, and were happy he will eventually dawn the Maroon and Black. We’re going to take our time grooming him, and possibly wait one more year to let him mature and bring him into our fold. Imagine down the middle for us in the future with Alex Galchenyuk, Ryan Strome, Patrik Berglund, and Boone Jenner. That is just plain deadly.

Senators Come Back and Beat Pens

Pittsburgh, PN (CP) – The Ottawa Senators headed to face the struggling Penguins, many thought that Marian Gaborik, and Nathan Horton would make their returns to last nights game, but were game time scratches. “We felt like they could of rested another game, and with tomorrow being an off day to get our team ready against a tough Edmonton game on Sunday.”, said Coach Wilson. Jesse Winchester, and Chuck Kobasew took the ice on the fourth line for the game. Matt Read scored the first goal to give the Senators the 1-0 lead in the first period with an assist from Artem Anisimov, and Alex Goligoski. The traveled Senators fans thought they were going to skate by with a big win, instead the fans took a big gulp as the Penguins went off and scored three unanswered goals by Troy Brouwer (2), Brandon Dubinsky. Leaving the Senators in a hard situation of being down 3-1 in the early goings of the second period. You could hear the fans displeasure at home watching TV that they were going to blow this games. But not to fast as the Senators came roaring back with goals by Artem Anisimov, and Michael Ryder to tie it up in the second period. In the third period the Senators capitalized on the power play as Patrik Berglund scored and took the 4-3 win for the Senators. “We struggled in the beginning of the game, you cant say we didn’t but our team does have the heart and we came back and took the win, we still have work to do, but we keep gaining points in which we need were so close to gaining that eight seed and hopefully we can keep going and solidify ourselves as a playoff team, we have the players we just need to gel together to get it done.”, said Coach Wilson. After the game it was learned that the Senators have traded young forward Artem Anisimov, and veterans Niklas Backstrom, and Radek Martinek to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jonas Hiller, Jamie McBain, prospect Reece Scarlett, two 5th round picks, and a 6th round pick. Hiller, 31 has played in 37 games for the Blues registering a 17-15-3 record, with a 2.64GAA, and a .888%. Hiller is signed for three more seasons and half of the cap number of Niklas Backstrom. Pundits believe there talent is roughly the same and will fill in the same type of role as Backstrom who would have been a unrestricted free agent after next season. McBain 25, has has played in 42 games for the Blues scoring 12 points, (2G-10A) with a +1 rating. McBain Is a nice two way defender who has potential to be a #4 defenseman down the road if he continues to develop, but would fill a bottom role for the team for the future. The last known asset for the team is sixth round prospect Reece Scarlett who has been the gem of the 2011 OTHL Draft. Scarlett 19 who plays with another Senator prospect Coda Gordon in Swift Current. Scarlett has the height to be a good OTHL defenseman at 6’1, but only weighs 168 but has been htting the weight room and is currently fourth in team scoring playing 64 games scoring 45 points (7G-38A), with a +11 rating. “We had to make this deal for the future, Hiller brings a veteran leadership role, and is a big cap saver for us this season and down the road. McBain adds to our defensive corps of Goliogski, Dillon, Martinez, Beaulieu, and now McBain, coming into the season our defense was really weak and we have spent some assets on building it up. My all means were not done yet, but your seeing it shape together.”, said Burkholder about the trade.

Bears Take a Swipe at the Senators

Boston, Massachusetts (AP) – The Ottawa Senators come into Boston still fighting for that number eight spot in the Eastern Conference, and it is the debut of Ryan Smyth wearing the Black and Crimson. Boston this year has struggled big time to say the least and the Senators two night’s before shutout the Bruins 4-0. Many of the Senators fans hoped for the same thing, well they were soon to be in for a disappointment.  The Bruins got on the board first with a power play goal from Trevor Daley, after a Justin Faulk shot bounced off Senators Toni Lydman to Trevor Daly to go get the goal at the 2:35 mark in the first. The Senators went crazy after that scoring three unanswered goals in the first period by Marian Gaborik, Sergei Gonchar and Matt Read.  Fans back in Ottawa were celebrating because they thought the writing was on the wall, instead the hopes of the fans came crashing down as the Bruins took focus in the second period and started their comeback from Jochen Hecht early in the 2nd, and in the third the Bruins tied it up with a Guilliaume Latendresse goal.  Overtime was slow for both teams only having three shots combined for both teams as we headed into the shutout. First up was the Senators Marian Gaborik who hasn’t been able to be stopped scored, Bruin’s star Jason Spezza scored to tie it up, and eventually on the third and final shot the Bruins Kristian Huselius scored to win the game for the Bears.  “We picked up a point in this game, but it should have been two, we let out foot up in the second period and it eventually did us in. We cant keep doing this to ourselves or were going to be in really bad shape in a month or two.”, said Coach Wilson One of the Senators big guns could be coming back in the next day or two in Nathan Horton after his strained abdominal muscle injury is healed, rumor has it he should be cleared to play in two or three nights.

In The Rotunda - Tyler Toffoli

RW Tyler Toffoli
Birthplace: Scarborough, Ontario (Canada)
Age: 20, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 194lbs, Shoots: Right Handed
Drafted: 2010 2(38)
Acquired: Trade 2012/Lightning

Stats
2012 Team: Manchester (AHL): 41GP, 20G-13A-33P, 12PIM, +15
4 OHL Seasons (Ottawa): 252GP, 163G-170A-333P, 125PIM, +100

Overview
Alex Tougsiant wanted to change the direction for the Senators when he traded a Senator legend in Daniel Alfredsson to Tampa Bay for three prospects which were Tyler Toffoli, Richard Panik, and Bill Arnold. Arnold was traded to move up to pick up Alex Galchenyuk, and the Senators still hold onto the Tyler and Richard.

There is no question that Tyler Toffoli will be a goal scoring machine, he has scored at every level. In the OHL he dominated and lead the league in scoring in his senior season. One year in the AHL he has done just the same. He has the perfect size for the OTHL game being 6’1, and 194lb, and will be one of the key pieces coming down the road for the Senators.

This Year’s Assessment
Tyler Toffoli has been hands down the best player for the Manchester Monarchs this season. His rookie year has been incredibly successful thus far Toffoli has not just been an offensive success, he has been responsible defensively and in terms of discipline. He is a plus-eight and has just six minor penalties in 31 games. He has played on the penalty kill for coach Morris and even has a short-handed goal to go along with five power-play markers.

A key to Toffoli's success has been his role as an all-out trigger man and key player on the Monarchs top line with fellow rookie Tanner Pearson, and sophomore center Linden Vey. Both Pearson and Vey have been fantastic at getting the puck to Toffoli, who has proven he has the mindset and skills to score at the pro level. If he can continue his fantastic form for the entire year it is not out of the question to think this might be his only season playing with Manchester. While he is only 5'11, Toffoli is strong and has not been shaken by the physical nature of the AHL. One step further for the 2010 second round pick and he will be in the OTHL.

GM Burkholder’s Thoughts
Alfredsson is a great player, but anytime you can get a talent like Tyler you have to make it. He is our best pure goal scoring talent. We are letting him play in the AHL and really get more minutes in. This year we wanted him to work on his skating ability and has done a good job, and he keeps scoring. This kid is going to be amazing for us and real force in the OTHL. He is really our next wave of players we built up in the system that is going to turn some heads, he doesn’t get the notoriety of guys like Galchenyuk, Kreider, Schwartz, and Strome but don’t be fooled this kid is just as good.