Emery, Senators blank Hurricanes
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 | 11:19 PM ET
CBC Sports
Ray Emery recorded a shutout in his first-ever start against Carolina on Wednesday, allowing Ottawa to sweep their home-and-home with the Hurricanes.
Emery recorded 27 saves in the 2-0 home win. The goaltender found himself out of position on a Carolina power play with just over three minutes left in the game but managed to preserve his fifth shutout of the season by gloving down a Justin Williams chance.
Ottawa's Ray Emery reaches out to prevent David Tanabe from scoring for Carolina on Wednesday.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
"It was a big game," Emery said. "Back-to-back games are tough, especially when the other team is in a tough spot, fighting for their playoff lives."
Ottawa (38-22-4) received goals from their main guns, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza.
On Tuesday, the Senators beat the Hurricanes 4-2 in Raleigh, N.C.
The Senators have won eight of their last nine, and received a point in their lone loss during that span.
As a result, the team is now within nine points of Northeast Division leader Buffalo.
Heatley and Spezza have been driving forces during the streak — Heatley with seven goals and nine assists, and Spezza with seven goals and 10 assists.
Cam Ward made 24 saves in a losing effort for Carolina (32-27-7). The netminder wasn't helped by his teammates, who produced few quality scoring chances until the last half of the third period.
"We didn't have much sustained pressure," said Williams.
"They were jumping on us on the power play and jumping on us five-on-five. They totally shut us down tonight."
With the loss, the Hurricanes remain in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The defending Stanley Cup champions are just 6-8-1 in their last 15 games.
Ward was burned for his only glaring mistake of the night early in the first. He was slow to react to a shot that caromed off the back boards and couldn't adjust in time to prevent Heatley's 38th of the season.
Ottawa held a 12-5 shot advantage in the period, with the majority of Carolina's shots coming in the final three minutes.
The Senators had plenty of chances to put the Hurricanes away in the game, but the power play could not connect. Ottawa had a two-man advantage early in the second and went 0-for-8 on the night.
Breathing room came early in the third when Spezza, just out of the penalty box, was sprung by Wade Redden on a breakaway and fired his shot home over Ward's glove.
"It's a nice feeling when you come out of the box and get a clear-cut breakaway," Spezza said. "I had a lot of time to think about what I was going to do."
Oleg Saprykin, acquired Tuesday in a trade with Phoenix, had one shot on net in just over seven minutes ice time for the Senators.
Spezza finished with two goals and four assists against the Hurricanes.
Ottawa has won three of four against Carolina this season.
The Senators next play Friday in Atlanta.
