OTTAWA, ON — Claude Giroux scored a milestone goal against his former team, but the Philadelphia Flyers spoiled the celebration with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Saturday night.
The game was Giroux’s first against his former team, but he doesn’t have much to boast about as the loss now has the Senators (4-7-0) mired in a five-game losing streak.
Giroux’s goal was the 300th of his career. He has now scored a goal against every team in the NHL.
The former Flyers captain said he was not happy about the loss, “but I’ll wake up tomorrow and it is what it is.”
“We’re in a little hole, but I’ve been in bigger holes before and come out of it, so right now I’m very frustrated, but not worried about it,” Giroux said.
Facing off against their former captain was a little odd, but also satisfying for the Flyers to come out with a win.
“To be honest, I’ve been in those situations before,” said Kevin Hayes. ”(Giroux) is a close friend of mine, it might be a little different for him, but it’s not really for me. I’m playing for the Flyers. That’s the team I want to win.”
Zack MacEwen’s second-period goal held up as the winner, while Kevin Hayes also scored for the Flyers (6-3-2). Carter Hart was solid stopping 31 shots.
Giroux scored the lone goal for the Senators, while Cam Talbot, making his first start for the Senators, made 26 saves.
Trailing 2-1 in the third, Ottawa had a chance for the equalizer after Travis Sanheim was called for interference on Giroux at the 13-minute mark, but failed to capitalize on the power play.
The Senators will look at the second period as a missed opportunity. Ottawa had three power plays and failed to take advantage or create many scoring chances.
The Flyers broke the 1-1 tie with just under two minutes remaining in the second period when Ottawa got hemmed in its own end. MacEwen grabbed a loose puck and wristed it past Talbot.
The lead didn’t last long as the Flyers evened the score with a power-play goal as Hayes tipped a Tony DeAngelo shot.
“It comes down to special teams” said Senators coach D.J. Smith. “They score on their power play and we go 0-for-5. The game’s on the line and you get a power play in the third period. We’ve got to find a way to put it in.”
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Center Scott Laughton (21) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) along the boards during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Claude Giroux (28) skates by the bench to celebrate his goal during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Kelly Sutherland (11) talks to Philadelphia Flyers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) while he officiates in his 1400th career game during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Center Kevin Hayes (13) celebrates a goal with teammates Right Wing Travis Konecny (11) and Right Wing Owen Tippett (74) during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Center Scott Laughton (21) closes on the play during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Carter Hart (79) with mask up after a whistle during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Carter Hart (79) tracks the puck during second period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Philadelphia Flyers Center Lukas Sedlak (23) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Jake Sanderson (85) in front of Goalie Cam Talbot (33) during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) chops away a loose puck away from Philadelphia Flyers Center Lukas Sedlak (23) during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) after a whistle during third period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on November 5, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
