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Tanguay nets game-winner in shootout to lift Habs past lifeless Sens

Thu 20th, November 2008

Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Alex Tanguay notched the game-winner in the shootout as Montreal clipped Ottawa, 3-2, at Scotiabank Place.

After Ottawa's Antoine Vermette missed his opportunity wide of the net, Tanguay skated at an odd angle down the center of the ice on his chance, showing backhand all the way. Despite Sens goaltender Alex Auld sliding in the crease, the veteran winger was able to push his shot through the pads for the winner.

Saku Koivu and Andrei Markov scored in regulation for the Canadiens, winners in two of three. Carey Price made 23 saves for his ninth win of the year.

"Obviously, this is a big win for us," Koivu admitted. "The way we battled hard to come back twice and then finally win it in the shootout is just what we needed right now. We know every point is huge, epsecially in our division, so getting a win here tonight is a shot in the arm for us. We knew it was going to be a tough win, but sometimes those are the best kind."

Dany Heatley and Nick Foligno lit the lamp for the Senators, who have dropped a season-worst six games in a row. Auld took the loss despite a 19-save performance.

Heatley's knuckler from 15 feet gave the Sens a 1-0 lead 4:21 into the contest, then Montreal struck back on the power play with 6:27 left in the first as Koivu beat Auld through the pads from along the goalline.

A scoreless and relatively passionless second period saw Auld turn away only three shots and Price make seven saves.

Ottawa forged ahead once again on Foligno's turn-around shot at the 4:58 mark of the third, but Montreal tied the game with 4:24 remaining on Markov's wrister.

Habs forward Guillaume Latendresse went off for high sticking with 16 seconds left in the third period but the Habs weathered the storm and were able to hold off the home team through the end of overtime.

"It was good to get the team up 2-1, but unfortunately we lost," Foligno lamented.

Game Notes

The Habs have won the last four meetings, including both this season...Montreal improved to 4-2 in shootouts this season while Ottawa fell to 0-3...Seven of the game's 10 penalties were whistled against the Canadiens...Senators defenseman Alex Picard picked up two assists.