Spence Contributes 2 Points in 4-2 Victory Against Utah
This game, often dubbed the Leevi Merilainen redemption match, brought some relief for the Senators after a season filled with concerns. Issues such as Jordan Spence’s limited playtime by the coaching staff, unstable goaltending, and the team's struggle to capitalize on chances or close out games in regulation had troubled fans.
Although the victory over the Utah Mammoth was neither the most impressive nor decisive, it alleviated some of those worries. The win was driven by strong performances from Spence, Merilainen, and a determined effort to attack the net—positive signs for the team's outlook.
Game Flow and Key Moments
Both teams showed signs of fatigue, resembling a second night of back-to-back games. This resulted in a slow start with limited urgency and few demands on the goaltenders. Ottawa briefly controlled the zone just before the five-minute mark, mostly staying along the perimeter, while Merilainen made an important save soon after.
Around the ninth minute, offsetting penalties led to a short period of 4-on-4 play. Utah nearly scored immediately, and Ottawa struggled to generate offense during this time, indicating ongoing special teams challenges even at equal strength.
Scoring Breakdown
Fortunately for Ottawa, the Mammoth were unable to beat Merilainen. Momentum shifted when Pinto took a shot on goal, Greig stirred confusion in front of the net, and the puck bounced off several defenders before crossing the goal line.
Job's not done 'til the puck crosses the line 👊#GoSensGo
Summary: The Sens secured a morale-boosting 4-2 win highlighted by Spence’s two-point impact and Merilainen’s key goaltending, offering hope amid a challenging season.