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Wednesday, October 6, 1999
Magic men
Lalime and Hossa spark Senators win
Two games, both on the road, both against marquee teams in reputation if not quality, two near-perfect performances, two wins.
The sound at Madison Square Garden, as at the First Union Centre Saturday in Philly, was a telling soundtrack, the boos of the home fans raining down, the Gallery Gods frustrated by the inability of their team to find the smallest crack or seam to exploit.
The Senators, without Alexei Yashin and injured goaltender Ron Tugnutt, returned home with four points after defeating the Rangers 2-1 last night, spoiling the Blueshirts' home opener, just as they had ruined the Philadelphia Flyers' two nights before.
"To come home now with two wins in two starts is very nice. It was a great team effort overall," Ottawa coach Jacques Martin said.
It was another methodical performance, punctuated by great individual plays and solid goaltending from Patrick Lalime.
Radek Bonk, who scored the winner Saturday, had another strong effort along the boards, twice springing loose pucks which Marian Hossa converted into goals.
Two for Hossa
He beat Rangers goalie Kirk McLean with a snappy one-timer and a seeing-eye backhander to the roof; goals coming with about 90 seconds left in the first and second periods. McLean had not lost to the Senators in six previous starts (6-0-1).
"I thought Patrick did a great job and again Hossa showed why he's regarded as such a talented young player," Martin said. "I thought his line was our top line again tonight and gave us a great forechecking effort. They're giving us dominating play."
The Senators did not enjoy the edge in play last night they had against the Flyers. The Rangers' retooled blue line moves the puck better than the Flyers' battleships did, and the Rangers spent good stretches of time playing in the Ottawa zone.
But Lalime was there to make the save when needed. His shutout string with the Senators ended at 111 minutes and 14 seconds when he was beaten by Kevin Stevens on a goalmouth scramble during a power play with less than nine minutes to play.
"In the last five minutes they only had one shot on goal," said Lalime. "Everybody bears down and played solid hockey. That's the way teams win."
While Lalime had a pretty easy time of it in his 17-save shutout against the Flyers, he was the difference in a frantic first period which saw each club tally 14 shots. The Rangers had the more dangerous opportunities, but could not beat Lalime.
The Senators return home now for three games in five days at the Corel Centre, starting tomorrow night against Boston.
They won't want their party to be spoiled.
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