Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Sens do the Buffalo Hat Dance

The Ottawa Senators hit double digits Wednesday night, as the return of Martin Havlat to the line up proved to be one of many problems for the Buffalo Sabres. Havlat who finished off his five day suspension, put all that rest to use with four goals and 40% of the Sens scoring on the night. Also filling up the Buffalo net was Daniel Alfredsson who also tallied another 40% and four more goals to the cause. Dany Heatley added 20% and two goals to finish off the scoring parade and a 10-4 win over the Sabres.

It was the first time in Sens history that they have had two four goal scorers in the same game, the ten goals are the highest in the NHL so far this high scoring season and the second highest total in Sens history.

The Sens were dominant from the very start of the game, they had four goals on seven shots in the first thirteen minutes of play and seemed to leave the Sabres standing still for most of the game. The Sabres were missing the scheduled starting goaltender Ryan Miller who was injured in the morning skate, Martin Biron was put into battle to start but had a short night as the goals piled up. Biron was pulled after the first seven minutes, giving way to Mika Noronen who suffered four more goals through the second period. the Sabres came close to getting back into the game in the second as they closed the gap to 5-3, then four unanswered goals put the game away for Ottawa. In a sign of mercy on Noronen, Biron then re-entered the game for the third, giving up two more before the night mercifully came to an end.

The Sens looked by far to be the better team, showing the same kind of domination that they exhibited last Saturday in the 8-0 crushing of Toronto. In the last five nights the Senators have scored 21 goals with their high flying style. While many marvel at the scoring punch of the Sens, Captain Daniel Alfredsson offers up some advice, the best is yet to come. Alfredsson says the Sens are just hitting their peak, and can get even better.

The Sens style of play is certainly great for the fans, not since the Oilers heyday, has a team seemed to have so much fun on the ice while putting points on the board. While it seems to be fun for the Sens, it's decidedly not good news for those members of the goaltenders union.

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