Inspired Senators earn shutout

The Senators need to bring their dads on the road with them more often.

On the first game of the annual "Fathers Trip" Tuesday, they beat the Tampa Lightning 4-0 to snap a four-game road losing streak. Over the three years of the tradition, they are 4-0-1.

"I guess it's the fear of the fathers," joked Jason Spezza, who was the star of the night with three goals and an assist. "It's been great having them around."

While he didn't invent the thing, coach Paul MacLean added a special twist to the Fathers Trip. He allowed the dads into the dressing room before the game, to sit in on the team meetings and final preparations. The players were as appreciative as their dads. When people say that MacLean is a players coach who guys would go the extra yard for, it's for reasons like this.

"I thought the boys gave a real good account of themselves to their fathers," said MacLean, whose team is in Sunrise on Wednesday to play the Florida Panthers. "They all put in a hard day's work and I think that's something they can be proud of."

Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.