Former Senators goaltender Craig Anderson rings bell at Canadian Tire Centre
On Thursday, a notable member of that roster was in attendance as the Senators prepared to play their first post-season game at Canadian Tire Centre since their run eight years ago..
Before this season, the Ottawa Senators‘ last playoff appearance came in 2016–17, when they reached the Eastern Conference Final.
On Thursday, a notable member of that roster was in attendance as the Senators prepared to play their first post-season game at Canadian Tire Centre since that run eight years ago.
Goaltender Craig Anderson, who played in all 19 playoff games for Ottawa that year, rang the bell ahead of puck drop.
Speaking to Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas afterwards, the former netminder said it felt “electric” to be back in the building.
“The fans here are unbelievable,” said Anderson. “It’s great to be back in the city that supported me for all these years. I’m looking forward to just watching these boys come out here and battle their butts off.”
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Anderson spent 10 seasons with the Senators from 2011 to 2020. The 43-year-old announced his retirement from the NHL after 20 seasons following the conclusion of the 2022–23 campaign, and officially retired as a Senator on Oct. 24, 2023, signing a one-day contract with the franchise.
He posted a 2.34 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage during Ottawa’s 2017 playoff run — his fourth post-season appearance with the franchise. The Pittsburgh Penguins ultimately eliminated the Senators in double overtime of Game 7 in the ECF on the way to a second straight Stanley Cup.
With the Senators trailing 2–0 in their current first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bukauskas asked Anderson what might be going through starting goaltender Linus Ullmark’s mind ahead of Game 3 on home ice.
“Stop the puck,” Anderson replied. “You know, make that next save for the guys, get them all fired up, give them a chance to win.”
On how he managed big moments during his own career, Anderson added: “It’s a tight mental game. I think you just have to stay focused, use the energy from your home crowd and get into it.”
