Emergencies Overshadow Game Between Panthers, Sens

It was an uneasy night at Canadian Tire Centre as two traumatic events in the first period overshadowed an action-filled game between the Ottawa Senators and the Florida Panthers on Monday night.

Medical Emergencies

During the first period, a fan in the lower bowl suffered cardiac arrest. A public access defibrillator was used on the elderly man, and paramedics frantically applied chest compressions in their attempt to revive him. He was taken to hospital in critical condition but paramedics unfortunately announced he was unresponsive upon arrival.

When officials realized this serious incident was occurring, the period was abruptly ended, and the 3:37 remaining in the first was carried over to be played in the second period.

The second incident occurred after the intermission. With 1:47 remaining in the opening period, Vincent Trocheck was hit by Ryan Dzingel into the end boards as he forechecked on a Florida penalty kill. It was a clean hit, but it’s impact lifted Trocheck off the ice. As he fell, his leg bent unnaturally under his weight and he landed awkwardly. The play was immediately stopped as the 25-year-old was in obvious and immense pain. Medical assistance from both teams rushed to his aid, and he was stretchered off the ice.

Post Game Comments

After a long and intensely heavy 60 minutes, ex-Senator Mike Hoffman and the Panthers emerged victorious, defeating the Senators 7-5. With the loss, the Senators drop back to .500 with the regulation loss, holding a record of 9-9-3 and 21 points in 21 games played. Meanwhile, the Panthers leap up to an 8-7-3 record and 19 points in 18 games played after this win.

Following the game, Senators head coach Guy Boucher provided comment on the difficult circumstances.

“It was very tough, to be honest with you. That’s not hockey, when somebody’s life is in jeopardy. We all knew it that they were trying to revive the gentleman. No one was thinking hockey there, I’ll be honest with you. Our prayers are definitely with the patient and family….The incident with Trocheck there, you never want to see that, whether it’s an opponent or not. That’s not nice to see. I think tonight was a really tough night to manage and have our minds on hockey”.

The Return of Hoffman

The story line from this match-up was supposed to be Hoffman’s first return to the nation’s capital on an opposing team since Ottawa traded him under scandalous circumstances in the off-season.

The 28-year-old was shipped to the San Jose Sharks after allegations became public that his fiancée, Monika Caryk, was harassing former teammate and ex-captain Erik Karlsson and his wife, Melinda, on social media. Despite the situation remaining unresolved, both players now find themselves on different teams on opposite sides of the North American continent.

Leading up to this game, it was unsure how Hoffman would be greeted by the Hockey club and its fan base. Before his video tribute in the second period, he was greeted with a dim choir of boos from some fans. These were triggered when his name was announced in the Panther’s starting line-up, and just about every time he possessed the puck. Feelings appeared to change when the hockey club honoured him with a video, however, and he received a standing ovation.

The fans found themselves giving Hoffman a second, unintended, standing ovation with 1:40 remaining in the third, when he scored the Panthers seventh goal to put an end to any chance of a Senators comeback. The goal was classic Hoffman- a pretty backhand shot top-shelf. The tally continued his 16 game point streak, which is currently the longest in the NHL this season and sets a Florida franchise record.

High Scoring Affair

The Senators and Panthers entertained the crowd at Canadian Tire Centre with yet another high scoring affair. A whopping eight goals were scored before the mid-way point of this game, and 12 goals were scored overall. The Panthers chased Senators goaltender Craig Anderson with 3:31 remaining in the second. He was replaced by Mike McKenna.

The Panthers received points from 13 different players, with Juho Lammikko (4A), Aleksander Barkov (1G, 1A), and Aaron Ekblad (2A) leading the way. For their efforts, Lammikko and Ekblad earned the game’s first and third stars, respectively.

Offence was also spread across the Senators, who saw 11 different players earn points. Scoring leaders included Matt Duchene (2G, 1) and Drake Batherson (1G, 1A), who continue to look sharp together on Ottawa’s top line.

“It’s a terrific connection right now. We’re definitely going to keep it. What I like is that he’s  not just making plays and getting points, he’s playing the game the right way“, said Boucher.

Since being called up from Belleville (AHL), the 20-year-old Batherson has earned five points in three games. In AHL and NHL games combined this year, the rookie sensation has put up 25 points in 17 games.

Remembering Mike Foley

As if these terrible incidents on Monday night’s game weren’t enough, the Senators are also mourning the recent passing of their long-time equipment assistant, Mike Foley. The 61-year-old passed away last Sunday after a hard fought battle with colon cancer. Foley was a big part of the Senators family, having spent an incredible 26 years with the NHL hockey club.

Fans gave him a standing ovation after the team played a video tribute during the first commercial break. Coincidentally, he passed merely one game after the Senators hosted its annual Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Snap Shots

• The Senators and the Panthers met just over a week ago at BB&T Arena in Florida, where the Panthers won handedly, 5-1. The Sens are currently 0-2-0 against their Atlantic Division opponents.
• Ottawa concludes their three-game homestand with a record of 2-1-0 and four of six possible points.
• The Senators will be on the road for their next four games, with stops in Minnesota, Dallas, New York (Manhattan), and Philadelphia.
• To date, the Senators hold a much stronger record at home (7-4-2) than on the road (2-5-1).

Official 3 Stars of the Game

• Juho Lammikko, Florida (4A)
• Matt Duchene, Ottawa (2G, 1A)
• Aaron Ekblad, Florida (2A)

Up Next

The Senators will travel to Minnesota for a journey through the Wild on Wednesday, November 21. This game will be their first match-up on a four-game road trip.

Scoring Summary

Cover Photo Credit: The Canadian Press

Billy Morrison covers the Ottawa Senators and the Atlantic Division for Full Press Coverage. Follow Billy on Twitter, @BillyMorrison01.