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Senators G Emery begins three-game suspension

Feb 14, 2007 - 4:03 PM Florida (22-25-11) at Ottawa (32-22-3) 7:30 pm EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- A vital component of the Ottawa Senators' recent stretch run is on hiatus for the next three games.

Goaltender Ray Emery serves the first contest of a three-game suspension when the Senators face the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.

Emery was disciplined for slashing Maxim Lapierre of the Montreal Canadiens in the face in Ottawa's 5-3 victory on Saturday, which completed a home-and-home sweep.

Emery is expected to be replaced by Martin Gerber, who has won his last three outings and is 6-1-1 in eight career starts against Florida. He is just 8-9-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average this season.

Mike Comrie had a goal and an assist and Jason Spezza added his 22nd tally of the campaign for Ottawa, which is 15-4-2 in its last 21 contests.

The Panthers have followed a three-game losing streak with consecutive victories, including Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Canadiens. They have a one-point edge over the Washington Capitals in the race to avoid last place in the Southeast Division.

Florida is coming off Tuesday's 1-0 triumph over the Canadiens. Netminder Ed Belfour stopped 24 shots to tie Hall of Famer Tony Esposito for eighth place in career shutouts (76) and Jay Bouwmeester scored his ninth goal.

Ottawa has outscored Florida, 12-4, in winning both meetings this season and is 7-1-1 against the Panthers in their last nine encounters.