"Where was the buzz? Not in the building. The Ottawa Senators came out flat, and so did their fans. This was the grand occasion of the home opener? For long stretches, it felt more like Game 49 on a Monday night in the dead of winter. A capacity crowd expressed frustration, waiting for someone other than Pascal Leclaire to give the Buffalo Sabres a hard time. "Wake up!" a leather-lunged spectator shouted at Ottawa players during a quiet lull late in the second period. As if on cue, winger Chris Neil out-battled Jordan Leopold for a puck near the centre boards, Jarkko Ruutu set up Chris Kelly in front, and the Senators were finally on the board. Game tied. Game on. Too little too late in a 2-1 Sabres victory. "There's no real excuse," centre Mike Fisher said. "We're at home, we need to do a better job." Other than a warm team welcome during the opening ceremonies, the faithful didn't rise to their feet in excitement until team doctor Don Chow appeared on the video screen. It was his first public appearance since a horrific motorcycle accident in August. That was the feel-good moment of the night. While the pesky Sabres kept coming, Leclaire kept the game from becoming a rout. Was that really the same Leclaire who gave up five to the New York Rangers in the preseason finale last Saturday? Apparently. "I'm confident," Leclaire had said on the morning of the game. "I feel good right now, even if the exhibition games didn't go the right way." While neither Leclaire nor Brian Elliott performed as though he wanted the starting gig, head coach Cory Clouston said Leclaire deserved to "at least start Game 1," as he was supposed to be the team's go-to guy. There's a ringing endorsement. Game 1 is yours, Pascal. Do with it what you will. Leclaire took it and ran with it." Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports...s/least goalie played well/3648740/story.html
