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Heatley, Spezza lead Senators to third straight win

Feb 13, 2009 - 4:35 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- New coach Cory Clouston apparently is doing something right in Ottawa.

All-Star Dany Heatley scored twice and Jason Spezza recorded a goal and an assist as the Ottawa Senators extended their winning streak to a season-high three games Thursday with a 5-2 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Antoine Vermette also netted a goal and set up another and Nick Foligno added his third tally in four games as the Senators raised their record to 3-1-1 under Clouston, who replaced the fired Craig Hartsburg on February 2.

"I think that we're feeling pretty good about ourselves," Heatley said. "We beat two pretty good teams in those three games, and in different ways. ... I think that everything has been good the last three games - our special teams and our 5-on-5 - and we just have to keep feeding off of that."

Rookie Brian Elliott made 34 saves for Ottawa, which improved to 2-0-0 on its five-game road trip.

"The guys were clearing out in front of me, especially on the power play," Elliott said. "I was able to see everything, and when you're able to see, it makes the game a lot easier."

"Our goaltender was the best player we had on the ice tonight," Clouston said.

Darroll Powe and captain Mike Richards tallied for the Flyers, who fell to 13-3-2 in their last 18 home games. Richards was returning from a three-game absence due to the flu.

"You have to give them credit," Richards said. "They did play well, and they capitalized on every opportunity they had."

"We looked a little sluggish and a little bit too deliberate early in the game," Philadelphia coach John Stevens said. "I do think there were a few times where we got stretched out a little and we didn't stop and get the puck out. Overall, I think we did compete pretty hard."

One day after completing a home-and-home sweep of the Buffalo Sabres, the Senators continued their strong play in this one, carrying a 3-0 lead into the third period.

Heatley began the scoring late in the first with his 23rd goal of the season. After the former Calder Trophy winner had his wrist shot from the left circle stopped by Antero Niittymaki, the puck caromed off Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell and past the Finnish goaltender with 98 seconds remaining in the session for a 1-0 lead.

Spezza doubled the advantage during a power play at 8:40 of the second, when defenseman Brendan Bell's pass from the bottom of the right circle deflected off his foot and into the net while he was stationed near the left goalpost. Spezza and Bell both extended their points streaks to four games on the play.

Foligno made it a three-goal bulge with 14 seconds left in the middle period, sliding a backhander into a vacant net from the slot after receiving a pass from the right circle by Ryan Shannon.

"At the end of the period, you never want to let in a goal," Niittymaki said. "You want to score that goal. They scored, but it happens. You can't take it back now. It was my bad. You have to move on."

"Those are big momentum-boosters in hockey games," Richards said of Ottawa's late-period goals. "Power-play goals and giving up goals at the end of periods hurt, especially with (14) seconds left. You never want to do that."

Powe got the Flyers on the scoreboard exactly eight minutes into the third by burying a rebound from the right circle, but Heatley completed his fifth two-goal performance of the season - and second against Philadelphia - at 10:15 with a one-timer from the left circle to restore the three-goal lead.

"Anytime we tried to get some momentum, whether it was territorially or when we would get a goal, we would give it right back," Stevens said. "When they had opportunities, it ended up in our net."

Richards drew the Flyers within 4-2 just 39 seconds later, beating Elliott to the short side from the left circle during a partial breakaway for his third goal in as many games. But Vermette erased any comeback hopes with 4:40 to go, skating down the right wing after stealing the puck from Jeff Carter in Ottawa's zone and cutting to the net before beating Niittymaki.

"Right away, we were able to score a goal, and that just took the wind out of their sails," Clouston said. "We bent, but we didn't break."

"Our style of play is a little more suited to our team," Heatley said. "We've got some guys here that can skate and can move the puck and can score goals. We're playing more of an attack game and creating turnovers and getting some chances off of that."

Elliott was happy the team secured another victory but insisted it was not getting ahead of itself.

"We're just taking it one game at a time," the 23-year-old said. "We're not looking at a streak or anything. We just keep playing the same way every game. Win or lose, we know that we're giving our all, and that's all that matters right now."

Making his sixth start in nine games, Niittymaki made 18 saves.

"I think we played a good game, but their goalie was great tonight," he said. "I didn't have my best night, and I think that was the difference."