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Donovan's goal helps Senators edge Canadiens

Sep 23, 2007 - 1:34 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Shean Donovan is trying to prove the Ottawa Senators made the right move in acquiring him.

Donovan snapped a tie late in the second period, leading the Senators to a 2-1 preseason victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

Jason Spezza added a goal and an assist for Ottawa, which improved to 3-0-0 during the preseason. It was the second road victory for the Senators following a triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers in London, Ontario.

With time winding down in the second and the game even at 1-1, defenseman Anton Volchenkov kept the puck in the offensive zone at the right point before sending a pass to Spezza in the corner. The high-scoring center fed Donovan, who one-timed the puck past goaltender Cristobal Huet from the top of the crease at 17:55 for a 2-1 edge.

A veteran of 774 NHL games, Donovan was obtained from Boston in a salary-driven trade over the summer that sent Peter Schaefer to the Bruins.

After a scoreless first session, Ottawa opened the scoring on the power play at 12:32 of the second. From his own zone, Volchenkov cleared the puck, which was misplayed by Montreal blue-liner Andrei Markov.

Spezza gained possession and broke in on Huet, beating the netminder to the glove side from 20 feet out for a 1-0 lead.

A trio of prospects helped the Canadiens draw even with 4:16 to go in the period.

Matt D'Agostini battled for the puck behind the Senators net and flipped a backhand pass to Duncan Milroy at the top of the crease. The right wing's shot was stopped by netminder Martin Gerber, but Kyle Chipchura put the rebound just inside the right goalpost to forge a tie.

Gerber made 11 saves in two periods before being replaced by Jeff Glass, who turned aside all 12 shots he faced.

Huet went the distance for Montreal, allowing two goals on 19 shots.

Chris Higgins made his preseason debut for the Canadiens after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason but failed to record a shot on goal.

Montreal went 0-for-6 on the power play.