Livescore
It looks like Ottawa Senators star defenceman Jake Sanderson dodged a bullet on Saturday night. More specifically, he avoided injury after a nasty downward cross-check near the back of his neck from former Ottawa 67, Tyler Toffoli.
The incident occurred late in the third period, with the Senators up by two and trying to kill off a penalty.
With the puck down low in the corner to the left of Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, Sanderson cross-checked Toffoli on the arm and his upper body was bent forward in the process. Toffoli then brought his stick over Sanderson’s head and delivered a cross-check on or near the back of his neck. Sanderson was shaken up on the play, and as he lay on the ice, there was no call from the referees.
Meanwhile, with Sanderson down and out, the Sharks took advantage of the extra real estate and completed a beautiful passing play to cut the Ottawa lead to one.
Naturally, the Senators were livid about the non-call. Head coach Travis Green was asked about the incident after the game.
“I mean, I don’t know how that’s not a penalty,” Green said, visibly frustrated. “A cross-check right in the back of the neck, forcing him down to the ice. It’s tough to watch, to be honest.”
Sanderson is good to go for Monday’s Capital Clash in Washington. Not only has he emerged as Ottawa’s top-scoring defenceman this season, but he also ranks fourth in overall team scoring (37 points), tied with Claude Giroux, and ahead of players like Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, and Thomas Chabot.
Sanderson also leads all Senator skaters in time on ice, averaging 24:24 per game, so his avoidance of injury on Saturday night was huge. To make a real run at a playoff spot, the Senators need everyone to be healthy and at their best – particularly their top players like Sanderson.
By Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia)
This article is from The Hockey News Ottawa. For more Sens coverage all season long, be sure to bookmark THN Ottawa.
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