Blue Jackets 3 - 4 Senators
Final
  for this game

Michalek scores winner as Sens edge Blue Jackets

Oct 23, 2011 - 3:14 AM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Milan Michalek scored the game-winning goal with five seconds remaining, lifting the Ottawa Senators to a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jason Spezza tied the game for Ottawa just 31 seconds earlier.

Filip Kuba and Zack Smith also scored for the Senators, who got 18 saves from Craig Anderson.

Aaron Johnson, Kris Russell and Rick Nash each scored for the Blue Jackets, who remain winless in eight games this season.

Steve Mason stopped 23 shots.

"I feel for these guys," said Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel. "Everybody stuck to what they had to do, we got a lead and it's so disappointing for these guys. They put it all on the line."

The Blue Jackets, off to their worst start in franchise history, grabbed a 3-2 lead midway through the third period on Nash's power play goal. They could not maintain the advantage, however, and were robbed of their first win of the season in gut-wrenching fashion.

Michalek had a hand in both of the Senator's late goals, as he assisted on Spezza's game-tying wrist shot before notching the improbably final tally.

On the power play, Michalek deflected Sergei Gonchar's slap shot, beating Mason for the game-winning goal.

"It's a great feeling obviously," said Gonchar. "Not only us but everybody in the building I'm sure is feeling the same way. It was a great game."

Ottawa grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the first period. Taking advantage of the power play, Spezza walked the puck up the right side and placed a cross- ice pass on the stick of Kuba, who beat Mason for the goal.

Columbus evened the score with 6:04 remaining in the first, as Derick Brassard put the puck on net and Johnson drove it home with a second effort for a 1-1 tie.

The Blue Jackets struck again just 16 seconds into the second period, unleashing a 4-on-2 break, which Russell finished with a wrist shot past Anderson for a 2-1 lead.

Midway through the second Erik Condra dropped a pass in front of the net, which Smith drove home with a one-time snap shot, effectively tying the game and setting up the third-period dramatics.

Game Notes

This was the lone meeting of the season between the Senators and the Blue Jackets...Columbus has recorded seven losses and a tie thus far this season...With the victory, Ottawa notched its first win streak of the season. The club beat Winnipeg, 4-1, on Thursday.






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