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Spezza fires Senators to grudge win over Sabres
2007-02-25
Jason Spezza's second goal late in the third period lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in a rematch of their brawl-filled game on Thursday. The Senators squandered a three-goal lead but still won when Spezza took Dany Heatley's pass from behind the net and fired a shot into an open cage after Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller was caught trying to play the puck behind the goal at 15:43. There were two fights and two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties issued for another shoving match, all in the second period. Spezza told reporters it was obvious the Sabres were now the Senators' top rivals. "There's obviously quite a bit a hate between the two teams," Spezza said. "It goes back to the playoff last year and both teams really want to win when we play each other." Ottawa's Chris Neil blindsided Buffalo co-captain Chris Drury on Thursday with a hit that left him with a 20-stitch gash on his forehead and concussion-like symptoms. Drury has been ruled out indefinitely but no penalty was called on the play. A melee ensued after the hit, with all players on the ice involved, including both goalies. Saturday's game was tame by comparison, Neil battling with Buffalo's Adam Mair and Ottawa's enforcer Brian McGrattan with Andrew Peters in the two fights. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff was fined $10,000 by the NHL for telling his players to respond to the Neil hit on Thursday, but he told reporters he was proud of the way his team responded. "I was so impressed with the way we played," Ruff said. "To fight back the way we did, it's good for our hockey club." NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell met with both coaches and general managers before the game and attended the contest, one of the most hyped of the season in Ottawa. Heatley had a goal and two assists for the Senators, and Daniel Alfredsson added a goal and an assist. Chris Kelly and Christoph Schubert scored the other goals for the Senators, who squandered a 4-1 second-period lead. Henrik Tallinder scored twice for the Sabres, and Derek Roy, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek added singles in the last of eight meetings between the teams this season. Ray Emery made 31 saves for the Senators, while Martin Biron was pulled after the fourth goal in favor of Miller. *Peter Forsberg's first goal for the Nashville Predators was the winner at 2:11 of overtime, lifting the Predators past the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. Nashville and Detroit are now tied for the Central Division lead with 86 points each. *The Carolina Hurricanes won for the sixth time in nine games and moved into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference standings with a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers. *The Columbus Blue Jackets snapped a three-game losing streak and dealt the New York Rangers' playoff hopes a blow by downing them 3-2. *The Washington Capitals ended a five-game losing streak by downing the New Jersey Devils 4-2. *Frans Nielsen's first NHL goal was the game-winner as the New York Islanders moved into a tie for seventh place with the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference standings with a 3-2 victory. (Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto)
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