Heading into Game 3, the Ottawa Senators were determined to unleash every ounce of their resolve and passion to battle their way back into the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
By the game`s conclusion, however, the lasting image was the remarkable display by Ottawa fans, who truly reclaimed their home arena and its vibrant atmosphere.
Joy and sorrow have rarely been so closely intertwined. In the world of sports, passionate support is often coupled with profound disappointment.
For a quick, albeit tough, summary: Overtime began tentatively. Toronto`s relatively unknown defenseman, Simon Benoit, stepped onto the ice (which felt like an early bad sign). A crucial faceoff occurred in the Senators` defensive zone. The fans, standing and roaring at full volume, chanted “Go! Sens! Go!”, their white rally towels swirling in a fervent display. Just after Ottawa lost the draw once more, Benoit wound up and fired. The puck sailed high into the net, beating a screened Linus Ullmark.
