Game file: Oilers at Senators
The Senators played like they were expecting an easy win.
WHY THE SENATORS LOST
They played like they were expecting an easy win. The Senators spent most of the first period dipsy-doodling around, which was fine when it was working. The Oilers buckled down in the second period however, holding Ottawa to just five shots and tying the score 1-1 with a power play goal. An Andrew Cogliano tip-in early in the third period gave the Oilers their first lead of the game and they rode it to a rare road victory.
STUD
Martin Gerber, Oilers
Since his disappointing Ottawa run ended, Martin Gerber’s hockey journey has included stops in Toronto, Russia, Oklahoma City and Edmonton. Gerber was motivated for his return trip and it showed. The most important save of the night came on a shorthanded Daniel Alfredsson breakaway late in the second period — the Oilers eventually scored on the same power play to kick off the comeback.
DUD
Erik Karlsson, Senators
As the third period was winding down, the Senators’ defenceman tried to create something out of nothing by rushing the puck deep into the well-defended Edmonton zone. Predictably, he turned it over and the play swung back the other way. Karlsson got back to his own net just in time to watch Gilbert Brule make it 3-1. He finished the night a minus-two.
GAME CHANGER
Gerber’s big save was important, but the Senators should have been up by more than a goal at that time. They had three power play opportunities in the first period, but couldn’t manage a goal against the NHL’s worst penalty kill. That left the door open for the young Oilers, and they slipped right through it.
KEY STATS
- 3: Oilers with two-point nights (Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Brule)
- 12: Ottawa shots over the final 40 minutes.
- 22: Saves for Martin Gerber.
- 4: Minor penalties for the Senators in the second period — their worst of the night.
YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Apparently it didn’t come through well on television, but there was a very vocal contingent of Edmonton fans at Scotiabank Place Monday night. Loud chants of “let’s go Oilers, let’s go” rang out at various times, reminding some of the Maple Leaf-loving crowd that rocked Ottawa’s rink Saturday night. Disappointing? Maybe, but you’d probably be in the building too if your team only came through once a year.
DARTH GERBS
Ottawa fans will remember the all-black mask Martin Gerber wore in his last season here, earning him the moniker “Darth Gerber.” As a member of the Oilers, he’s now sporting an all-white number. Gerber hasn’t totally left the dark side, however. Remarked one press box wag: “He’s been demoted to Storm Trooper.”
I’m going to say something that will be wildly unpopular and probably anathema in this town, but it may be time for a new captain or at least a shake-up of this team’s core.
A captain can never, ever, ever disagree publicly with his coach. You may be at each other’s throats (Lord knows Keenan, Bowman, Crawford, Hartley heck even Murray were not going to win popularity contests at times) but it has to stay in the room.
I’m an outsider, I’m a fan, I’m an observer.
To me, it looks like this team wants a new coach.
The coddled country club, protected by radio and some print media, are tired of the teacher and want a new one.
Utterly disgraceful.
I will say right now, swear on Bible, Affirm, whatever you like…if Murray caves and fires Clouston he is making the biggest mistake of his life and his job should be forfeit. I would rather see Kelly, Neil, ALfredsson, Phillips, Fisher all traded before I see another coach for this team.
Oh and Alfie?
Enough with the “I don’t know” and “I don’t think” crap.
YOU are the captain.
It’s your JOB to know.
You’re in the dressing room right?
You are around those players right?
You are “allegedly” their leader right?
So get this team on track, because if Dany Heatley lights up the Senators Thursday, or even if just the Sharks do, there should be hell to pay.
*RANT OFF*
Recalsentrant, I absolutely agree with you. Firing the coach will solve nothing – there have been four of them in three years and the team is still sputtering. I like Clouston. I think he’s a keen observer of the game and I think he’s fairly honest in his assessments of his team’s performances. It’s the core. If the team doesn’t make the playoffs this year, it will be time to blow it up. As much as I hate to say this, perhaps the first to go should be the man who put this team together. Murray was a great coach but his record as a GM has been spotty at best. Say what you will about John Muckler, at least his team went to the final. As for Alfie, well, I’ll cut him a bit of slack. He’s still the best player on the team and after playing over a thousand games in a Sens uniform, he’s entitled to sound off. I suspect he was defending his teammates like a good captain should.
That’s fine hockeymedic, I can get behind that RE Alfie.
Just so frustrated, I’d like to see one or two of these players be pissed off once in a while, you know?