Hoffman's Goal Keeps Sens Alive

MONCTON – Mike Hoffman has kept the Ottawa Senators alive.

Hoffman scored at 9:05 of the third period last night, a goal that ended up being the only one scored in the game. The Senators, facing elimination, are now down 3-1 in their first round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

The goal was Hoffman’s first of the playoffs. He had a few good scoring chances in the game, finishing the night with four shots in 12:54 of ice time.

According to Hockey Night in Canada, the shot clocked in at 124.9 km/h.

As expected, Nathan Beaulieu did not play for the Habs last night. He will miss the remainder of the series with an upper body injury.

Some other news and notes…

• Simon Despres helped set up the game and series winning goal as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 last night to complete a series sweep. Despres registered an assist on Ryan Kesler’s third period goal at 6:41, making it 3-1 Ducks at the time. Despres also had two shots and four hits in an impressive 20:49 of ice time. Only one Duck had more ice time than Despres.
• It was a rough night for Charlie Coyle and the Minnesota Wild as they fell 6-1 to the St. Louis Blues on home ice last night. Coyle was held pointless with one shot and a -1 rating in 14:43 of ice time. The series is now tied 2-2.
• Tomas Jurco and the Detroit Red Wings return to action tonight. They lead the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in the series after a 3-0 win on Tuesday. Jurco played just 6:49 in game three. The former Sea Dog has been credited with a goal in this year’s playoffs thanks to a scoring change in game one, a goal that came eight seconds into the second period. From the Red Wings website: “by changing the goal, it also means that Jurco now owns the Wings’ club playoff record for the fastest goal at the start of a period. The previous mark was 0:09 set by Gordie Howe in the first period of Game 5 of the 1954 Stanley Cup semifinals against Toronto goalie Harry Lumley.”
• At the Under-18 World Hockey Championship today, the Czech Republic takes on the United States and Team Canada faces Sweden.
• The QMJHL semifinals begin tonight with Noah Zilbert and the Moncton Wildcats hosting Marcus Cuomo’s Quebec Remparts. Cuomo has not played since the first round.