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.