OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The Ottawa Senators snapped a three-game
losing streak by downing the Edmonton Oilers, 4-2, on Thursday.
The Senators scored the first three goals of the game and
goaltender Brian Elliott made them stand up, making 24 saves
while allowing only a pair of goals to Sam Gagner.
"They really didn't get many strong opportunities," Elliott
said. "We played as a team tonight and that's a credit to the
guys and the coaching staff."
Jason Spezza opened the scoring 12 seconds into the game,
scoring unassisted off the backhand after the puck took a quirky
bounce. It was the quickest goal in a game in Senators'
history.
"It's always nice to get one that early, it's pretty nice to get
a bounce like that and score on a breakaway," Spezza said. "It
gives you a little bit of confidence, it's nice to get off to a
quick start. It's always good to play with the lead, makes them
play catch up."
Spezza also had a hand in the goal that made it 2-0. He had an
assist as did defenseman Chris Phillips when Mike Comrie beat
Dwayne Roloson for his ninth goal of the season with a wrist
shot.
The Senators bumped the margin to 3-0 at 6:06 as Chris Campoli
scored his seventh of the season off assists from Comrie and
All-Star Dany Heatley.
"I thought we played really well tonight, a pretty complete
game," Campoli said. "We took care of the puck and made smart
decisions."
The Oilers drew within two on Gagner's goal. Heatley doused
their hopes with a blast from an awkward angle, top shelf, to
make it 4-1 with less than eight minutes left.
Gagner closed out the scoring with his 10th goal. He rushed in
on Elliott and beat the goaltender with a backhand.
"It feels good to score a couple of goals, but at the same time
you need wins," Gagner said. "It's a tough one to lose."