For one, it was the return to familiar territory where he was reviled, for the other, it was a return to his Junior stomping grounds with the Ottawa 67s. Both arrived here to prove something, and both did.



In a 4-0 loss, Dany Heatley was instrumental in giving the Sharks the two power plays that gave them an early lead. Heatley managed twice to detach himself from the Senators defence, and the only way to protect goalie Pascal Leclaire was to hook Heatley. If nothing else, Heatley delivered his message loudly and clearly, even picking up an assist. Former 67s captain Logan Couture, who was back in Ottawa for the first time as well, put the two extra goals in.

You can't blame it on the Senators' effort. They played hard and brought some offensive to the Sharks zone with 28 shots on goal, none of which made it past goalie Antti Niemi who was like a black hole, absorbing pucks and never coughing them back out. The only glaring problem was Erik Karlsson who got side-stepped twice for lack of attention. One led to a Heatley breakaway and a penalty, the other to a Logan Couture breakway and a goal.

The only reason I can think of that the Sens aren't rewarded for their efforts are that they're not playing smart. You may also have to look behind the bench at their overall system, but that's an entirely other post in itself.

GO SENS GO!!