Los Angeles: Craig Anderson blanked the Edmonton Oilers 2-0 Sunday in an emotional victory for the Ottawa Senators goaltender whose wife was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Anderson marked his return to the NHL club following his wife’s diagnosis by making 37 saves for his second shutout in as many starts.
“We couldn’t really feel the gravity until the final whistle,” said Senators captain Erik Karlsson of Anderson.
“He held a strong face but you could still see the pain in his eyes.”
After returning home to Ottawa from a road trip last week to be with his wife Nicholle, Anderson flew back west Sunday when backup Andrew Hammond suffered an injury Friday in Calgary.
It was a selfless move that resonated with the team. Anderson, of the US, had a stellar night for the Senators against the league’s highest scoring team at Rogers Arena in Edmonton.
“It was an emotional night for us as a team,” said Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan.
“Rightfully so that he should be emotional at the end, because the room was as well,” Ryan said.
“The way he held it for 60 minutes and got through it speaks to his character. That was the quietest I’ve ever heard a room after a win.
“What Andy did tonight was pretty incredible.”
— AFP
