Shane Pinto gave himself a birthday present he will remember after scoring twice in the Ottawa Senators’ 4-3 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. The 26-year-old opened the scoring, then returned in the extra period to finish a game that had taken several turns after Ottawa surrendered its early advantage. Colorado had moved ahead 3-2 in the third before Drake Batherson forced overtime with less than four minutes remaining. Pinto eventually settled the contest, while the Senators also celebrated the return of goaltender Linus Ullmark after his injury absence.
Pinto Turns a Difficult Night Into a Birthday to Remember
Pinto made his mark with a goal that started with a defensive effort. After blocking a shot from Brent Burns, he chased down the loose puck and beat Scott Wedgewood through the five-hole. Tim Stützle added another goal to put Ottawa up 2-0, but Colorado responded through Artturi Lehkonen, former Senator Parker Kelly and Gabriel Landeskog.
The Avalanche took a 3-2 lead in the third period, leaving Ottawa needing a late response. Batherson supplied it, scoring from a loose puck in the crease with 3:56 remaining.
Pinto then took over in overtime. He intercepted Kelly’s pass near centre ice and sent a wrist shot past Wedgewood on the blocker side at 2:08.
Travis Green and Tim Stützle Praise Pinto’s Performance
Pinto’s performance earned strong praise from head coach Travis Green, who highlighted the forward’s work across the ice.
“He was great,” Green said. “He was probably our best player tonight. He was skating, physical when he needed to be. We needed that tonight.”
The 2019 first-round pick has become a dependable option in different situations, regularly taking difficult defensive assignments, killing penalties and contributing offensively. He has nine goals and 17 points this season, including seven goals and three assists over his last 10 games.
Stützle was equally impressed with his teammate’s overtime finish. “He’s a special player and he’s going to make those plays and puts it in the back of the net,” he said.
Ullmark also had a successful return, making 25 saves in his first start since suffering a lower-body injury against Florida on October 21. The victory extended his personal winning record to seven wins in seven starts.
Hockey Fights Cancer Night Adds Meaning to the Victory
Before the game, a young girl the Senators had met the previous season rang the bell at centre ice to celebrate completing her cancer treatment. The moment came during Ottawa’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer game, with hundreds of children fighting cancer invited to attend.
Pinto admitted the ceremony had affected him. He spoke about appreciating the opportunity to play and recognising that there are things bigger than hockey.
“It was a little emotional,” admitted Pinto. “I think you just realize how lucky we have it. It’s so cool that we did that for her. It’s just emotional and you try to compartmentalize it a little bit but you realize at the same time that there’s things bigger than the game. It was cool to see.”
The Senators improved to 12-6-2, collecting seven points from their last four games. They will next visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
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