Cinderella Senators Look to Stay Alive in Ottawa

by Drew Halfnight

Filed under: Penguins, Senators, NHL Playoffs

The Ottawa Senators entered Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Pittsburgh Penguins on a wing and a prayer, desperate to avoid the ignominy of elimination in five against their playoff rivals.

With some luck, a lot of heart, and a legendary performance by back-up goaltender Pascal Leclaire, the team's prayers were answered.

It was Leclaire who kept the Sens alive through 107 minutes before Matt Carkner potted the biggest goal so far in these playoffs and certainly the most important one of his career, a triple-overtime winner that earned the Sens a 4-3 decision and the momentum heading into another do-or-die match-up.

The Senators head home to host Game 6 on Saturday, extending their bid to become the Cinderella story of the 2009-10 post-season. The No. 5-seeded Sens were widely expected to fall fast and hard to a dynamic Pittsburgh offence helmed by Sidney Crosby.

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Penguins lead series, 3-2
Senators 4, Penguins 3 (3OT): Recap | Box Score | Series Page

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