Senators 3 - 4 Blue Jackets
Final - OT
  for this game

Voracek lifts Blue Jackets over Sens in OT

Jan 1, 2011 - 3:27 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Jakub Voracek's goal at 2:06 of overtime rescued Columbus, in its 4-3 victory over Ottawa at Nationwide Arena.

Voracek somehow picked up a loose puck behind the Ottawa net in spite of two Senators players, then took a stride in front and slid a shot through the pads of Brian Elliott to end the contest.

R.J. Umberger, Samuel Pahlsson and Rick Nash also tallied for the Blue Jackets, who wasted a three-goal lead but managed to win their third straight game.

Steve Mason made 35 stops for the win.

"It's a process. It isn't about just one game and being satisfied," Columbus head coach Scott Arniel said about Mason's play. "Gradually you see confidence again and that is the first step to him being a good goalie. He's done a good job in the last three games."

Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno and Daniel Alfredsson scored for the Senators, who have lost two in a row and four of six overall. Elliott allowed all four goals on only 23 shots in defeat.

"We worked hard against a good team that skated well," Ottawa head coach Cory Clouston said. "We showed a lot of character. I'm happy with the point, but disappointed with the loss. It was a tough way to lose, we had two or three real good chances in overtime just before they scored."

Umberger put the Jackets ahead at the 10:45 mark of the opening period on a blast from the right circle.

Pahlsson doubled the home team's advantage at 12:13 of the second on a quick wrister off a giveaway. Then Nash made it a 3-0 game at 15:27 by finishing off a 2-on-1 with Kristian Huselius.

Ottawa finally hit the scoreboard with 1:03 remaining in the second on Fisher's 11th goal of the year when he converted a long rebound from the high slot.

Foligno got the Senators within a goal at 1:18 of the third period, and Ottawa knotted the score with 1:11 to play when Alfredsson came late to a scramble in front and chipped a rebound over Mason.

Game Notes

Columbus has won four of its last five matchups with Ottawa since December, 2006...Nash snapped a nine-game goal drought...Voracek picked up just his second goal since November 24...Alfredsson snapped a four-game pointless streak with his tying tally.






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