Senators Outshoot, Outwork, But Can’t Outscore in Frustrating Loss to Hurricanes
Sometimes, hockey comes down to one bounce. Or one stick.
Or one red-hot goalie. On a night where the Ottawa Senators did just about everything right, it was a combination of a netminder standing on his head and a costly mental lapse that turned a strong performance into a tough loss.
This one was supposed to be a chess match-two defensively sound teams playing it tight and grinding it out. Instead, it turned into a high-tempo, chance-heavy battle where Ottawa dictated much of the play but couldn’t quite solve Brandon Bussi, who delivered a performance that will live in the Hurricanes’ highlight reel for a long time.
First Period: Fast Start, Familiar Frustration
The Senators came out flying, generating quality scoring chances from the opening puck drop. They dominated possession, cycled the puck with purpose, and peppered Bussi with shots.
The breakthrough came early, thanks to a gritty net-front effort from Stephen Halliday. It was a classic team goal-Lars Eller did the dirty work in the corner, Jordan Spence put the puck on net from the point, and Halliday got just enough of a deflection to beat Bussi low glove side.
But for all their pressure, Ottawa couldn’t build a cushion. Bussi was dialed in, turning away several high-danger chances, including a pair that looked like sure goals.
The Hurricanes nearly answered right away, but Jake Sanderson made a critical defensive play, tying up a stick at the last second to prevent an easy tap-in. James Reimer followed up with a solid stop, covering the puck to kill the threat.
Carolina did manage to tie it late in the period on a controversial sequence involving Seth Jarvis. There was contact with Reimer, but head coach Travis Green opted not to challenge for goalie interference. Given Green’s history of aggressive challenges, it was a curious call-but with the Canes’ lethal power play looming, the risk of a failed challenge and a penalty might’ve been too much to stomach.
Dylan Cozens brought noticeable jump in the opening frame, nearly picking the top corner on a quick release from the slot. Meanwhile, Tyler Kleven played with an edge, walking the line physically without crossing it-exactly the kind of presence Ottawa needs on the back end.
Second Period: Dominance Without Reward
The middle frame looked a lot like the first: Ottawa controlling play, Bussi standing tall. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle were relentless, driving the puck to the net, creating chaos in front, and firing from all angles. But no matter how many quality looks they generated, the puck just wouldn’t go in.
Momentum shifted midway through the period when Halliday was penalized for playing the puck with a broken stick-a mental error that proved costly. Just six seconds into the ensuing penalty kill, Jarvis struck again, ripping a shot top corner on Reimer. A deflating goal, given how well Ottawa had played to that point.
Moments later, Jarvis doubled down. After Bussi robbed Drake Batherson at one end, the Hurricanes transitioned quickly, and Jarvis finished the play in stride, burying his second of the night and third point overall. It was a perfect example of how quickly things can swing in this league-one big save, one transition, and suddenly it’s a two-goal hole.
Still, Ottawa didn’t fold. They earned a power play shortly after, and this time, they cashed in. Tkachuk won the faceoff clean, Sanderson found Stützle in his sweet spot, and the German sniper hammered a slapshot past Bussi to make it a one-goal game.
Third Period: Tied Up, Then Torn Down
The Senators came out of the intermission with urgency and were quickly rewarded. Mike Amadio drew a high-sticking penalty with a strong rush through the neutral zone, and Ottawa’s power play went to work again.
Sanderson, who was everywhere all night, ripped a shot short glove side to tie the game. He finished with a goal and an assist, showing once again why he’s the engine of Ottawa’s blue line.
But just when it felt like the Senators might steal back the momentum, a bad line change opened the door. Jordan Staal found himself all alone on a breakaway and didn’t miss, going bar down on Reimer for what would stand as the game-winner.
Ottawa pushed hard in the final minutes-Tkachuk, Stützle, and Sanderson leading the charge-but Bussi refused to blink. The Sens emptied the tank, but the equalizer never came.
Takeaways: A Loss, But Not Without Heart
This one will sting-not because the Senators played poorly, but because they played well enough to win. They controlled the pace, won battles, created chances, and got strong efforts from their top players. But in the end, they ran into a goalie who stole the show and made the difference.
Tkachuk, Stützle, and Sanderson continue to set the tone for this team. Their compete level, leadership, and ability to impact the game in all three zones were on full display. If they keep playing like this, Ottawa’s going to win more than they lose down the stretch.
Sometimes, hockey’s cruel like that. You do everything right, and the scoreboard doesn’t reflect it.
But if the Senators can bottle this energy, clean up the mental mistakes, and keep trusting their leaders, the wins will come. Nights like this aren’t setbacks-they’re reminders of how close this team is to turning the corner.