Ottawa Senators goalie Leevi Merilainen gets start against Vancouver Canucks

By The Canadian Press on December 21, 2024.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Leevi Merilainen defends against Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, April 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Chris Seward

VANCOUVER – Senators goalie Leevi Merilainen gets his first start of the season and third of his NHL career when Ottawa visits the Vancouver Canucks.

Senators head coach Travis Green wants to lighten the workload of star goalie Linus Ullmark and was excited to see the 22-year-old Merilainen in net Saturday night.

Ullmark has backstopped the Sens (17-13-2) to five straight wins and boasts a 12-7-2 record with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .916 save and three shutouts this season.

Ottawa’s backup Anton Forsberg was injured last week during a pre-game skate before facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Merilainen was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Bellville Senators the following day.

The six-foot-three, 186-pound Finnish netminder’s last start was in April of last season in a 7-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.