Sens goalies struck down

The Senators’ muddled goaltending situation took a bizarre twist yesterday.

Less than 24 hours after goalie coach Eli Wilson was fired, Pascal Leclaire suffered what coach Cory Clouston called a “mild concussion” after taking a shot in the head during the morning skate and backup Brian Elliott was too ill to make last night’s start against the Rangers.

Neither was available to speak to the media and both were described as not feeling well. How long Leclaire is on the shelf isn’t known, while Elliott has a flu bug and should be ready to play tomorrow against the Canadiens in Montreal.

Meanwhile, Ottawa was forced to recall Mike Brodeur from its AHL affiliate in Binghamton to make the start and a clearly frustrated Clouston wasn’t left with many options with neither of his struggling goalies able to make the start.

For one night, anyhow, Brodeur answered the bell, turning in a 32-save shutout performance in a 2-0 victory over the Rangers.

But given everything that has happened with the Senators, who snapped a five-game losing streak, the injuries and illness with their struggling netminders was the last thing they need.

The Senators knew what they were getting when they acquired Leclaire, 26, from the Blue Jackets for winger Antoine Vermette at late season’s NHL trade deadline.

Leclaire’s injury history is well-do*****ented, but what’s happened this season is beyond freaky.

How else can you describe Leclaire getting hit by a puck on the bench, fracturing his cheekbone and missing a month? Then yesterday, getting whacked in the head?

One of the reasons Wilson was fired was the fact Leclaire and Elliott are two of the worst statistically ranked goalies in the NHL.

Leclaire is aware he has to be better.

“It’s more of a consistency thing than anything else,” said Leclaire following the club’s skate Wednesday at Central Park. “I play one good game and I play one not so good game. I think I’m going in there and trying to be perfect. It’s obviously not working. I know what I do when I play well. I’m going to try to focus on that and it’s going to come back.”

But you have to start wondering if the Senators need to look for another goalie.

The name of Islanders goalie Martin Biron is going to come up.

League sources say the Isles want a high draft pick for Biron, who is making $1.25 million US this season.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/bruce_garrioch/2010/01/14/12472511.html