The Ottawa Senators trailed 2-0 against the Columbus Blue Jackets early in the third period, a period they were outshot 20-8.
Still, they managed to score two unanswered goals to take the game to overtime. Claude Giroux scored one goal in regulation, and he was, together with goalie Anton Forsberg, the big hero for the Senators as they won in a shootout.
Giroux broke a 13-game goal-less drought as he deflected in a shot by Boris Katchouk 7:25 into the third period.
It was Ottawa’s first shot on goal, as they had been outshot 15-0 in the period. But with 7:35 left, Tim Stützle tied it.
In the shootout, up stepped Claude Giroux, and he didn’t just score. He scored with a beautiful slapper that took goalie Elvis Merzlikins and everyone watching by surprise.
Giroux’s slapper goal in the third round of the shootout secured the win for the Senators, their second straight after a seven-game skid.
Postgame, Merzlikins claimed he was prepared for a shot of that kind from Giroux, but there was nothing for him to do.
“I did expect that kind of thing,” Merzlikins said. “It was hard and accurate and a good shot. I’m still thinking, what should I do?”
Giroux explained that he tried the shootout slapshot because of the ice conditions.
“I was on the bench and I knew if I was going to go, I was going to do that,” said Giroux. “Back in the day when shootouts started, we had the Zamboni and it was easier to deke. Now, after the third period and overtime, the ice is pretty choppy so it’s tough to deke.”
