In the National ice Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators have defeated Buffalo, 3-2, in overtime to reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history.
The game was scoreless in the first period, and Buffalo took the lead four-minutes, 30 seconds into the second period on a goal by Jochen Hecht. Ottawa evened the score 11 minutes later on a goal by Dany Heatley. Jason Spezza gave Ottawa a 2-1 lead just before the second intermission.
Maxim Afinogenov of Russia tied the game with a goal almost 11 minutes into the third period. Swedish-born Daniel Alfredsson scored the winning goal for Ottawa nine minutes, 32 seconds into the overtime period. Ottawa wins the best-of-seven series, 4-1.
The Senators will meet the winner of the Western Conference series between the Detroit Red Wings and the Anaheim Ducks. That series is tied at two games apiece with game five Sunday in Detroit.
