Brady Tkachuk's OT Goal Over Flames Gives Sens Their 5th Consecutive Win
Brady got the big goal, but Ullmark was the real MVP
The Sens had their work cut out for them tonight, heading into Calgary to face a Flames team that has not lost many games at home this season.
They didn’t exactly play up to the challenge. They made a few mistakes early on, and eventually found themselves hemmed in their own zone about halfway through the first period. Unsurprisingly, they gave up the first goal of the game. 1-0 Calgary.
Fun fact: that was the first goal against the Sens that Kenzie Lalonde, our new play by play person, called for TSN. Apparently her shutout streak was 192 minutes and 14 seconds.
The rest of the period was a bit of a snoozefest, but thankfully Nick Cousins created something out of nothing and tied it up right at the end! 1-1.
Cuzzy was everywhere on this goal 👊#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/XdwRgyjwtG
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 20, 2024
It’s a good thing the Sens have goaltending now, because they were extremely sluggish in the second period. They probably didn’t deserve to be tied, but Ullmark was giving them a chance.
Ottawa got a bit of momentum back with the first powerplay of the game, but they only managed one shot, and it was right back to the defensive zone as soon as Calgary had killed it off.
Our boys got another powerplay when Brady Tkachuk’s inability to wear a mouthguard properly came in clutch. The captain took a high stick and was absolutely gushing blood. Great news for his hockey team. You always love to see your players bleed.
For real though, Brady seemed pretty hurt and missed the rest of the period, including the whole 4 minute powerplay that the Sens didn’t even score on. I hope he’s okay.
Right after the terrible 4 minute powerplay, the Sens’ penalty kill got to work for the first time all game, and they did an amazing job. For the first minute especially, they looked better than they had at 5v5.
The third period brought more of the same... including another fantastic Ottawa Senators penalty kill. This one was so good and Ridly Greig got a breakaway and scored a beautiful goal to take the lead. 2-1 Ottawa.
If at first you don't succeed, try one more time because you'll definitely succeed the second time 💪#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/ihQnrxoNGj
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 20, 2024
We only got a few minutes to ride the high of being ahead, because Calgary scored on the same powerplay. The play was reviewed for a possible kicking motion, but unfortunately it stood as a good goal. Now that's just. That's just greedy. (Get it? Because Tate McRae was in the building? I'm trying.)
Not much happened after that, as the two teams settled into a rhythm, with Calgary pretty obviously being the better team. Ottawa didn't seem particularly interested in wrapping things up in regulation. Bad news for their sleepiest fans (me).
Thankfully, they wasted no time. Ullmark made an outrageous save at the start of overtime, then passed it to Tim Stützle, who shot it on net, and who else but the captain to bat the rebound into the net?
I'm not sure they deserved that win, but you love to see some good old regression to the mean after the bad luck they had earlier in the season. Man, does it feel good to be on a winning streak (and still in a playoff spot!).
Game Notes
- The fourth line of Greig, Gregor and Ostapchuk had a lot of jump tonight. They had some of the Sens' best chances.
- Linus Ullmark kept the Sens in this game.
- Josh Norris and Shane Pinto make a fantastic penalty killing unit.
