Craig Anderson Returns to Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson has returned to the club following a 2 month personal leave.
The 35-year-old Anderson isn’t quite ready to start and will need time to regain game shape his hope is to be game-ready in two weeks. The Ottawa Senators will continue starting Mike Condon until Anderson is game ready.
The Holliston, MA native, has started 24 straight games and is expected to start tonight against the Florida Panthers tying the Sens all time consecutive games played at 25 with Damian Rhodes.
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“We’re in recovery right now, and hopefully things continue to go in the right direction,” he said. “The radiation treatment’s over, we’re recovering from that … We knew it was going to be a tough battle … and we’re in that fight right now.”
My wife’s battle with cancer has given him new perspective.
“It makes you realize how lucky and fortunate we are to play the game we love. It just shows that win or lose a hockey game, there’s more to life.”
Andrew Hammond has also returned to the Senators after dealing with an ankle injury, he’ll backup Mike Condon tonight in Florida.
Boucher says it was uplifting for the players and coaching staff to see Anderson on the ice, suggesting he’s part of the “soul” of the team.
Mark Borowiecki says seeing Anderson in the dressing room “made all of us smile” as the players met here following the all-star break.
The Ottawa Senators gained a key piece of their team back Tuesday both on and off the ice.
Anderson had collected a 12-6-1 record 2.46 GAA and .924 SV% with the Senators, recording three shutouts this season.
The Senators are poised to make the playoff’s in a tight Atlantic division currently sitting in second place. Ottawa can feel confident in their goalie-tending tandem going forward into the second half of the season and playoff race.