A REASON TO SMILE AGAIN
Sens win in playoff push after an emotional day in Boston
When Ottawa Senators defenceman Jared Cowen had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip in midNovember, the prognosis was that he would be out for six to eight months — which meant he’d likely be gone for the season.
But he surprised himself — and everyone else.
Just five months after his surgery, thanks to a problemfree recovery that he says went “perfectly,” he was cleared to return on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
This is a big day,” he said after the pre-game skate.
“I’ve had this date in my mind for a long time. It’s not every day that a rehab goes the way you want it.
“My knee injury (which caused him to miss much of the 2008-’09 season) took awhile, but now my hip’s gone really well. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I worked hard to get here. A lot of it has been luck, but I’m just waiting to go.”
Cowen said he was always hopeful he’d be able to return this season, and to that end he worked hard.
But he also had to be realistic, given the initial prognosis.
Fortunately, he didn’t have any setbacks.
How long it takes him to return to form is another question.
While he did play some AHL games in Binghamton at the start of this season, Cowen hasn’t played an NHL game since last spring’s playoffs.
“It’s hard to say how long it’s going to take and how I’m going to feel, because I haven’t played a game yet,” he said.
“I’m sure I’ll be a little bit nervous. Maybe I’ll just need a shift to get the rhythm going and be able to slide back into my usual position and style.”
Cowen returned to find himself partnered with Eric Gryba. The two played together in Binghamton.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Gryba said. “He’s a big guy. It’ll be fun.” Not surprisingly, coach Paul MacLean was happy to welcome Cowen back.
With his team fighting for a playoff spot, the Senators need all the help they can get.
“We’re excited that he gets the chance to play,” MacLean said. “He was a big part of our team last year and is an important part of our team, moving forward — not only this year, but also next year and years to come.
“He’s worked very hard on his rehab to get to this point and be ready to play, and we’re just going to put him on the ice and let him play.
“We believe he’s a worldclass player and makes us a better team.”
To make room for Cowen, André Benoit came out of the lineup.
KARLSSON, SPEZZA PROGRESSING SLOWLY
Neither Erik Karlsson (Achilles tendon) nor Jason Spezza (back) skated on Tuesday, though Spezza was in the gym and both players are expected to skate on Wednesday.
MacLean said that he didn’t know when Karlsson, who has looked good during his practice sessions, would be able to skate with
the team.
After opening his NHL career on the road in Philadelphia, Jean- Gabriel Pageau made his home debut on Tuesday.
He was expecting 500 friends from Gatineau and the surrounding area to be at the game.
Hope he didn’t have to buy the tickets.