Jan 25, 2022
Sens sound off on Dell after 'dirty hit' on Batherson
Ottawa Senators forwards Drake Batherson (ankle) and Dylan Gambrell (upper body) both suffered injuries in the first period of Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. Gambrell will likely be out a week, while Batherson is expected to be out "much longer".
TSN.ca Staff
Ottawa Senators forwards Drake Batherson (ankle) and Dylan Gambrell (upper body) both suffered injuries in the first period of Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Gambrell will likely be out a week, while Batherson is expected to be out "much longer".
Batherson, who scored his 13th goal of the season, played 5:38 and left the game after a collision with goaltender Aaron Dell as he attempted to skate around the net.
The 23-year-old crashed into the boards and needed help down the tunnel.
Senators forward Tyler Ennis was not happy with Dell's actions on the play that injured his teammate.
"I thought that play on Batherson was pretty dirty," Ennis said, "the goalie looked like he threw his shoulder into Batherson”
Head coach DJ Smith said after the game that this isn't the first offence of this kind by the Sabres' goaltender.
“The frustrating part is he’s done it before and he continues to do it.," said Smith. "It’s interference, (Batherson) wasn’t in the path of the goalie and at the last second he steps in and hits him.”
Senators goaltender Matt Murray also took his counterpart to task for his role in Batherson's injury.
“I don’t like calling out other goalies. But they’re (players) not expecting to get hit by a goalie,” said Murray. “That’s a dangerous play that turns out to be an unfortunate result - one of our best players goes down.”
Gambrell registered 3:05 of ice time in the opening frame before leaving with his injury.