Jr. Senators third period comeback leads to their third straight win over Grads

By: Mason Detre

The Ottawa Jr. Senators (5-2) defeated the Navan Grads (4-3) 4-3 to win their third consecutive game at the Navan Memorial Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Ottawa found themselves trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, and came out hot scoring three unanswered goals, and were able to hold on after surrendering a late goal on Navan’s first shot of the third period.

“I thought we were really good because Saturday night I thought we didn’t work hard and tonight we did. The difference was we weren’t able to execute, so you gotta score those ugly goals. I thought we went to the net hard especially in the third, gave them one shot,” said Head coach Martin Dagenais on his team’s performance.

The Jr. Sens power-play play 1-for-8, after a 3-for-7 performance on Saturday.

“Power Play wasn’t great, we got some great chances but in the end, we got the win because we did work hard”, said Dagenais.

Ethan Mulhearn scored his fourth of the season after he broke through on a breakaway to give Ottawa a 1-0 lead early in the second.

“I keep repeating myself but Ethan (Mulhearn) plays the right way. He doesn’t cheat, that’s why he’s going to get lots of ice time while playing for us. He is a two-way guy that is never on the ice when the opponent scores and provides offense too. If he keeps playing the way that he is playing, I think he can be one of the most effective forwards in the league,” said Dagenais.

Faisal Alsaif was able to get his first goal of the season after recording five assists in four games to tie the game up at two. Conor Smart would get his second goal of the season, giving Ottawa the lead after a shot from the mid-point found its way in with two Jr. Senators providing a screen.

Matthew Toporowski’s first goal of the season turned out to be the winner as he took advantage of a Navan misque behind the goal. Owen Cole was able to get two assists and extends his point streak to three-games and Thomas Freel’s one assist also entends his point streak to three games.

Felix Schnell made 14 saves for the second win of his young junior career.

Ottawa is back in action tonight inside the Jim Durrell Sports Complex when the Cornwall Colts come to town. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:20 pm. You can catch the game on mixlr.com/ojsradio and Hockey TV.