Sens tie series with Rangers!
Posted Apr 19, 2012 10:02:15 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators edged the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime to tie the playoff series at 2-2. Kyle Turris scored off the rush, much to the delight of the sell-out crowd at Scotiabank Place. The winning goal was assisted by Jim O’Brien and Sergei Gonchar.
Early on it looked as if the Rangers were going run away with the game. Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan each scored power-play goals early, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead after the first period.
But the “cardiac kids” fought back in the second period. Milan Michalek scored on a set up from Matt Carkner, sending the crowd of 20,340 into a frenzy.
“The players really responded to [the crowd reaction],” said head coach Paul MacLean. “I thought the players really got motivated after that and I think it made a huge difference through the second period to overtime.”
At 17:50 of the 2nd period, Sergei Gonchar tied the game on the power-play with a point shot that found its way through traffic.
Both teams were warned by the referees before the game they would be clamping down to keep the game in control. Eric Furlatt and Francois St.Laurent ended up giving the Rangers seven power-plays to the Senators five.
There were no goals in the third period, setting up for the drama in overtime.
“As the game went on we got better and better,” said MacLean. “At the end of the day, we were just a little bit better, and we need to get better again.”
Craig Anderson had another solid performance, making 31 saves for the Senators.
The Senators victory ends a seven game home playoff losing streak while it extends the Rangers seven game playoff overtime losing streak dating back to the second round in 2007.
Game 5 is on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
