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.