A tip-in goal by Captain Eric Staal was all the Carolina Hurricanes needed to defeat red-hot Ottawa 1-0 Friday as back-up goalie Dan Ellis recorded 33 saves.
It was the second win by Ellis. The Hurricanes had only three wins by back-up goalies all of last season.
The entire defense was strong, killing off penalties and stopping pucks before Ellis had to play them.
“He looks very confident,” Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said of Ellis. “It’s an opportunity for him. Like any athlete in pro sports, when you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. He played well but I thought our guys played really strong in front of him.”
Now, with a 3-3 record, the Hurricanes go on the road for six straight games.
“It’s going to be a tough road trip,” Jordan Staal said. “I don’t think personally I’ve ever had a road trip with that many games. It will be a good test for our team. I think it will bring us together.”
He said the win over the Senators should be a good momentum builder.