Senators Rally Late, Beat Flames 4-3 in Shootout
by IHM Team | IHM News | Ottawa, Canadian Tire Centre
The Senators showed real growth under pressure. Jake Sanderson tied the game with 2:49 left in regulation when his shot from the left circle pinballed off bodies, kissed the crossbar, and dropped in. Ottawa then finished the job in the shootout on goals from Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle, edging Calgary 4-3.
Ottawa trailed three different times in the third but never cracked. Lars Eller had a short-handed goal and an assist, Artem Zub scored through traffic, and Linus Ullmark made 27 saves. The Senators move to 4-1-1 in their last six and look increasingly comfortable in tight, grindy games.
“It was a mucky game,” Batherson said. “We knew they were desperate. We stayed patient and found a way.”
For Calgary, there were positives in defeat. Devin Cooley stopped 35 shots and was outstanding in overtime with seven saves, including multiple stops during a 4-on-3 penalty kill. Nazem Kadri, Yegor Sharangovich, and Matt Coronato scored, but the Flames could not close it out and fall to 1-8-2 in their last eleven.
Game Flow
- 1-0 CGY (5:51, 1st): Sharangovich beats Ullmark high glove on the power play from the right circle.
- 1-1 (7:37, 1st): Eller finishes a short-handed 2-on-1 off a Shane Pinto rebound. Ottawa’s first short-handed goal of the season.
- 2-1 CGY (15:53, 1st): Coronato jams home a loose puck on the power play.
- 2-2 (2:36, 3rd): Zub’s point shot finds a lane through a heavy screen.
- 3-2 CGY (8:16, 3rd): Kadri executes a give-and-go with Jonathan Huberdeau, snaps it off the right post and in.
- 3-3 (17:11, 3rd): Sanderson’s drive deflects twice, off the bar and over the line.
- Shootout: Batherson and Stutzle score, Ullmark seals it.
Calgary coach Ryan Huska praised Cooley’s poise: “He made key saves at important times. Backup life is staying ready. He did that.”
Coach Mark Lehtonen’s Take
“Ottawa’s habits are maturing. They did not chase the game late. They layered their rushes, shot through traffic, and got bodies to the crease. Sanderson’s poise under pressure is big-time. Calgary’s structure was better, and Cooley battled, but game management in the last five minutes cost them. When you are in a spiral, you must close out the routine plays.”
IHM Verdict
Ottawa banked a grown-up win. Calgary showed effort and goaltending, but the margins in the third were the difference.
Final: Senators 4-3 SO Flames
Author: IHM Team | Commentary by Coach Mark Lehtonen