OTTAWA, ON – For 40-some minutes there was a whole lot of nothing going on. How quickly things change.
Josh Norris scored the winning goal midway through the third period Friday as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 and snapped a three-game losing streak.
A slapshot from Norris beat Martin Jones at 9:16 for a 2-1 lead while the Senators were on the power play.
“I guess I just like that area of the ice and for some reason pucks just seem to go in,” Norris said, about the fact that most of his power-play goals come from the same spot.
“My job’s easy, the guys just slide me the puck and I shoot it and hope it goes in, and lately it’s been going in so it’s a good feeling.”
Tim Stutzle scored in the first period to give the Senators (22-34-5) a 1-0 lead and Anton Forsberg made 27 saves for the win, many of those big and in the dying minutes with the Flyers pressing hard.
Alex Formento iced the win when he scored shorthanded into an empty net from behind his own goal line with 2:38 to play.
The lone Flyers’ goal came off the stick of Cam Atkinson. Jones made 32 saves for the Flyers (19-31-11) in a solid but losing effort.
“Forsberg made some really, really good saves. Sometimes you have to tip your cap. I think it came down to execution,” Atkinson said, before turning his thoughts to his own netmnder.
“He played great for us. Their first couple goals were absolute snipes. He kept us in the game all night and gives us a chance to win. That’s what you need out of our goalies, and they’ve certainly been doing that for us as of late.”
Stutzle was a game-time decision after getting a little banged up in their previous game, but was excited to get in against the Flyers.
“Yesterday I didn’t feel real good and today I skated and it was ok so I was happy to be able to play tonight,” he said
“It’s always good to get a goal in the first period. I think the whole team was really good and we were all together. And what are you going to say about [Forsberg]. He was unbelievable again and he helped us win the game in the last couple of minutes. It was a great team effort.”
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Philadelphia Flyers Right Wing Cam Atkinson (89) before a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Artem Zub (2) battles Philadelphia Flyers Center Patrick Brown (38) on the boards during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Connor Brown (28) skates with the puck while battling Philadelphia Flyers Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen (70) during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Colin White (36) battles Philadelphia Flyers Defenceman Cam York (45) in front of Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Martin Jones (35) during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Martin Jones (35) prepares to make a save during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Ottawa Senators Center Josh Norris (9) skates by the bench to celebrate his goal during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Philadelphia Flyers Center Derick Brassard (19) skates in front of Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Philadelphia Flyers Left Wing James van Riemsdyk (25) catches a puck in front of Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Philadelphia Flyers Left Wing James van Riemsdyk (25) attempts a backhand shot on Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Josh Brown (3) looking to block during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 18: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Artem Zub (2) battles Philadelphia Flyers Right Wing Joel Farabee (86) during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on March 18, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
