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Elliott helps Senators snap five-game skid

Jan 14, 2009 - 4:37 AM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The Ottawa Senators finally have a reason to celebrate in 2009, thanks to rookie Brian Elliott.

Elliott made 23 saves and Dany Heatley and Antoine Vermette each scored a goal and set up another as the Senators ended a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Dean McAmmond, Mike Fisher and blue-liner Chris Phillips also tallied for Ottawa, which had posted an 0-4-1 record since the start of the new year. The Senators had lost 13 of their previous 16 contests.

"We know the position we are in and we can t look too far ahead," Fisher said. "We just have to keep going and doing the little things."

Defenseman Joe Corvo netted a power-play goal and Cam Ward stopped 35 shots for the Hurricanes, who were handed a third consecutive loss.

"I think it's more we are letting goals affect us during the game," Corvo said. "We get down and you don't want to be the guy who makes the next mistake."

"We need to find a way here to rebound and pick each other up and get some positive energy in the room and get it done at home," Carolina's Eric Staal added.

Making his third career start, Elliott may have something to celebrate as well. With a pair of solid starts, the 23-year-old may have earned a spot on the roster.

"Every time you play at this level, you feel a little more comfortable," Elliott said. "I try to keep that pressure side out of my mind - and when the guys score a couple quick goals in the first, that takes a load off your shoulders."

Elliott, who made 25 saves in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers, could take Martin Gerber's place on the team. Gerber is rumored to be on his way out of Canada's capital and Elliott's performance is certainly not hurting that chance.

"You want to have confidence in yourself that you can be the guy," Elliott said. "I will keep working toward that, and if I can keep getting opportunities, I would love to be here."

Heatley opened the scoring a 3:45 of the first period with his 17th goal of the season and McAmmond doubled the advantage with 8:51 remaining in the session. It was McAmmond's second goal of the campaign.

After Corvo cut the lead in half at 8:27 of the middle period, Vermette restored the Senators' two-goal bulge with 26 ticks left in the session.

Fisher and Phillips both netted their fourth goals of the season in the third period, providing the final margin.