26 SPORTS
The Ottawa Sun n Saturday, March 1, 2014
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CHANGING YOUR PAYDAY EXPERIENCE
A look back at the month that was February
Short, but not sweet 89 Cory Conacher
CHRIS
HOFLEY
Senators
chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca @chrishofley
The Ottawa Senators did little in February to figure out whether they would be buyers or sellers going into the upcoming trade deadline. Granted, the sample size wasn’t big as the team played only five games early in February before breaking for the Olympics in Sochi. With a record of 2-3-1, the Senators pulled out another impressive win over the St. Louis Blues – in a shootout, no less – before squeaking out a 3-2 win that was closer than it should have been against the basementdwelling Buffalo Sabres. Then they returned from the Olympic break in time to get trounced 6-1 by Detroit to close out the month. Despite the way the month ended, there were a few bright spots in the tilts leading up to Sochi. After ending January with points in three of four games, the team got slammed 6-3 by the hated Toronto Maple Leafs in game that saw Chris Neil land on the scoreboard three times with two goals and assist. Colin Greening, who hasn’t exactly been an offensive superpower this year, chipped in a goal and assist in the loss. Stephane Da Costa, who had looked out of place in previous call-ups, scored the only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, starting a stretch of solid play from the French forward. Da Costa would also score a big goal in the shootout against St. Louis and followed that up with an assist in the win over Buffalo. Lehner’s play against Detroit has to be cause for concern, however.
Forward GP G 58
4
A
16
Pts 20
5 Cody Ceci
6.5
Average for the season
/10 6.0
Had three assists in February but Conacher has continued to play mostly fourth-line minutes, only breaking the 10-minute mark twice in February. Needs to be a pest in front of the net.
25 Chris Neil Forward
/10
GP G A Pts 8
GP G 27
3
11
Average for the season
7.0
Forward GP G A Pts 54
5
7
12
6.5 Average for the season
Forward GP G
Had one assist in five games, but Condra isn’t counted on for his scoring. Continues to be a strong checker and penalty killer, but has shown good hockey sense when occasionally elevated in the lineup.
6 Bobby Ryan Forward
8.0
/10
GP G A Pts 60
22
22
Average for the season
43
8.5
Only had one goal in February’s first five games, but was apparently hampered by a nagging injury. Had the lone goal in ugly loss to Detroit.
Pts 6
7.0
Average for the season
/10
15
A
30
7.0
Forward
7.0
GP G 59
5
A 8
Pts 13
6.5 Average for the season
/10 6.1
Had a two-point effort, including a goal, in the loss to Toronto. He’s a strong utility player and isn’t afraid to get dirty, but needs to convert more often if he wants minutes.
/10
Pts Average for 45
14 Colin Greening
the season
6.3
Had five points in wins against St. Louis and Buffalo but was held to one assist and was a combined -7 over the other three games in February. He continues to be a team-worst in that department with an ugly -23 for the season.
-23
/10 6.0
5
19 Jason Spezza
The veteran tough guy has looked good since returning from injury, scoring twice and adding an assist against Toronto. Tried to fight Johan Franzen against Detroit.
22 Erik Condra
1
A
www.accessiblecash.ca
Was a -2 in February but continues to look comfortable on the Senators’ back end. He hasn’t scored since his first ever goal, an overtime winner, but doesn’t make many mistakes on the blueline.
55
7.5 23
Defence
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His plus/minus continues to be worst on team
40 Robin Lehner Goalie GP W L 24
7
11
Otl 3
7.0
Average for the season
/10
7 Kyle Turris Forward
7.1
Only started one of the five February games but it was a good one, turning away 46 shots in Ottawa’s shooutout win in St. Louis. Got lit up in Thursday’s miserable outing against Detroit.
GP G A Pts 60
19
25
Had a goal and an assist in February leading into the break and continued to be great in the faceoff circle. In those five games, his faceoff percentage only dipped below 50% once, and he had two games at over 60%.
44
9.0 Average for the season
/10 9.1