Spence Scores Twice in 4-2 Victory Over Utah
Known as the Leevi Merilainen redemption game, the Ottawa Senators have had plenty of reasons for concern this season—from the coaching staff's reluctance to play Jordan Spence to inconsistent goaltending and the team's struggle to finish chances or close out games in regulation. Tonight's win against the Utah Mammoth may not have been the most impressive or clear-cut, but it eased some worries.
The victory was fueled by key performances from Spence and Merilainen, as well as consistent pressure near the net, signalling positive signs for the team's future.
Game Flow and Key Moments
Both teams appeared sluggish, likely due to playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The pace lacked urgency, and the goalies had minimal action early on. Around the five-minute mark, the Senators gained some zone time but mostly kept to the perimeter. Shortly after, Merilainen delivered a critical save.
Penalties and Special Teams
At about nine minutes, offsetting minor penalties led to a few minutes of 4-on-4 play. Utah nearly scored right away, and Ottawa struggled offensively during this stretch, indicating that special teams continue to be an area of concern—even in 4-on-4 situations. Fortunately, Merilainen held strong.
Scoring Play
The Senators began to mount pressure again, with Pinto taking a shot and Greig causing trouble in front of the net. The puck deflected off multiple opposing players before finally crossing the goal line.
Job's not done 'til the puck crosses the line 👊 #GoSensGo
This result gives hope that with contributions from key players and improved execution, the Senators can stabilize their performance moving forward.
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