Alfredsson “feeling good”; status for Monday uncertain
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson was “feeling good today”, according to coach Paul MacLean, but he remains questionable for Game 3 of the first round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Monday at Scotiabank Place.
Alfredsson was knocked out of Saturday’s game midway through the second period when he was elbowed in the head by the Rangers’ Carl Hagelin, suffering from what was believed to be a concussion.
The Senators went on to win the game 3-2, when Chris Neil scored at the 1:17 mark of overtime, tying the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Hagelin, who received a five-minute major penalty on the play, had a hearing scheduled with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan on Sunday afternoon to determine whether he would be suspended. Senators defenceman Matt Carkner also talked with Shanahan for 20 minutes to discuss what happened in the opening minutes of the game when Carkner repeatedly punched the Rangers Brian Boyle, who chose not to fight back. Carkner received a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct.
“(Alfredsson) will be further evaluated and see what he’s like tomorrow,” MacLean said following an optional skate Sunday where only six players and back-up goaltenders Ben Bishop and Alex Auld skated.
MacLean chose not to comment on the hit.
“It’s playoff hockey,” he said. “That’s Brendan’s job.”
Jason Spezza, however, labelled it a “dirty hit” and a “dangerous play”. There was deep concern on the Senators bench when Alfredsson lay on the ice.
“You never like seeing your captain down and Alfie doesn’t stay down unless he’s hurt,” said Spezza. “It was a scary moment for us to see him stay down.”
Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson, who talked with Alfredsson earlier on Sunday, was keeping his fingers crossed that Alfredsson could be back as soon as Monday night.
“It’s tough for us to lose Alfie and hopefully, he should be fine,” said Karlsson. “He’s still the same old happy guy, so hopefully, he’s fine. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and it will probably be a game time decision.”
Hagelin should be out. That was a very dangerous dirty hit.
Like Don Cherry said, Alfie never hurts anyone. Why attack him?
Ellen Faulkner: Hagelin AT WORST deserves ONE GAME. How do you feel about the mugging of Boyle by that gutless, no-skills (ex-Flyer by the way) punk Carkner? Or isn’t sucker-punching an unsuspecting opponent – after you have skated cross-ice from your position, mind you – a “very dangerous, dirty” (non-hockey) move in your obviously limited knowledge of the game opinion?
FYI, Hagelin has never hurt anyone in his short career either. Matter of fact, he has NEVER RECEIVED A MAJOR PENALTY as a pro, so kindly spare us with the “Why attack him?” blather. Carkner PREMEDITATIVELY “attacked” Boyle. Choose your words more carefully please, or don’t you Canadians understand your game. I reside in New York by the way, and have been a fan for over fifty years, so I DO know the sport quite well.