Senators Get First Shutout

Only when he heard the roar of the crowd did Ottawa goaltender Damian Rhodes realize he had been credited with scoring a goal.

Rhodes also stopped 30 shots for Ottawa's first shutout of the season in a 6-0 win Saturday night over the New Jersey Devils.

Rhodes became the first modern-era Ottawa goalie to get credit for a goal.

New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, who scored against Montreal during the 1997 playoffs, left the ice on a delayed penalty call against Jason York in the first period.

Devils defenseman Lyle Odelein sent the puck out from the corner back toward the point. But the puck sailed past Scott Niedemayer, Brian Rolston and Dave Andreychuk into the Devils' net, giving Ottawa a 2-0 lead at 8:14.

Rhodes was credited the goal because he was the last Ottawa player to touch the puck. He also was credited with a goal while playing for Michigan Tech on Jan. 21, 1989.

"I couldn't even shoot the puck down the ice and score," Rhodes said. "I couldn't believe the puck went in."

Rhodes recorded his ninth career shutout, although it was the strange goal that had everyone talking.

"It was kind of funny, the way it happened," Brodeur said. "This is a little different because he really didn't have to do anything. But, hey, a goal is a goal. It's not how, it's how many."

Odelein was downcast following the game.

"We were awful," he said.

Andreas Johansson scored two goals, and Magnus Arvedson ha a short-handed goal and two assists for the Senators. Marian Hossa and Patrick Traverse also scored for Ottawa.

The Devils lost for the first time in eight road games. The Senators are 4-1-1 in their last six games.

One of the happiest senators was Johansson, who has Rhodes in a hockey pool.

"He got me nine points tonight ... five for the shutout, three for the win and one for the goal," he said.

Johansson scored his 14th goal of the season at 5:02 of the first period.

Arvedson took advantage of a penalty-killing miscue to take a 3-0 lead at 5:38 of the second period and Hossa gave Ottawa a 4-0 advantage heading into the third.

Traverse added his first goal of the season at 4:10 of the third period and Johansson closed out the scoring with 4:27 left.

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