New Life

 

Justin Dahan (HV)

 

What a time for Chris Neil. He is the bearer of new life. Not only did his wife just give birth to a healthy daughter named Hailey but he was an also a major contributor in the Senators 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

With this win a new life is thrust upon the Ottawa dressing room. The Senators are only down 2-1. They’re right back in the playoff series; a loss would have put them in an almost insurmountable hole.

“The (home) crowd helped us out,” Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said after the crucial game three win. Though the crowd may have helped to motivate most of the Senator players into playing with more passion, Chris Neil was playing for his new born daughter. And with that thought in his mind Neil managed to score the first Ottawa goal of the game, which at that point tied the game and helped to switch the momentum in Ottawa ’s favor. Neil also added a physical presence that was lacking in the first two games of the series, delivering a few thundering open ice hits as well as grinding along the boards.

The Win wasn’t all good for the Senators who lost one of their key players to injury. Dean McAmmond was elbowed in the head by Chris Pronger and had to be helped off the ice. This isn’t the first time Pronger has delivered a head shot in this playoff year. In the Detroit – Anaheim series Pronger hit Tomas Holmstrom in the head and was suspended 1 game for his actions. Senator’s fans expect a similar punishment to follow this hit. As for Senators coach Bryan Murray he’s just livid that the refs missed the call in the first place. “I don’t understand how all 4 officials miss that,” he said at the post game conference.

Prior to the hit Pronger had already been booed in Ottawa whenever he touched the puck. I hope he doesn’t think giving Dean McAmmond a head shot, that could potentially force McAmmond to miss the rest of the series, will stop the booing.

The booing may have affected Pronger’s game. He had 3 giveaways in game two, second only to his defense partner Sean O’Donnell who had 4. Pronger hasn’t been himself this series. He has been poor both offensively and defensively, some hockey pundits think he is playing through an injury. It seems reasonable considering his play. Either way it is a testament to the Ducks, even without Pronger they manage to be leading the Stanley Cup finals two games to one.

 

 

Photo: Ducks are looking for a revenge in game 4 © Stephine Chavez (HV)