• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red-hot Eriksson leads Stars into Ottawa

Dec 20, 2008 - 3:09 PM Dallas (13-14-4) at Ottawa (11-14-5), 7:00 pm EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Loui Eriksson hopes he can take his hot streak over the border when the Dallas Stars visit the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

After recording a two-goal performance one day earlier, Eriksson netted his first career hat trick during Thursday's 6-5 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"It was a nice win. That was my first hat trick, it was awesome," Eriksson said. "It's a great feeling. It was a great way to win, too. Picking up the late win, it was great."

Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro scored and Marty Turco thwarted both attempts in the bonus format for the Stars, who improved to 3-1-0 in its last four games. Richards also had a goal and three assists in regulation.

"It's been tough going offensively. It's nice to be rewarded and help the team out," Richards said. "Sometimes you have an off-game, you're snakebit. No excuses. It was nice to have something to show for it."

The Senators are hoping to avoid their third straight loss, following Friday's 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

Jarkko Ruutu ended a 23-game goalless streak with a shorthanded goal for Ottawa, which has lost five of its last six contests.