Senators find renewed hope after Game Three victory

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Ottawa Senators had begun to doubt themselves after falling into a 2-0 hole in the Stanley Cup finals, but Saturday's victory over the Anaheim Ducks has given them new hope of a fighting chance at a comeback.

"We know how we can beat this team now," Ottawa coach Bryan Murray told reporters after his Senators downed the Ducks 5-3.

The larger and more physical Ducks had overwhelmed the Senators in Anaheim but on home ice, all four Ottawa lines came alive and scored at least one goal and delivered more hits than their opponents.

The Senators, who have made it to the playoffs every season for the past 10 years, had thought they had shed their image of big-game chokers when they breezed through three rounds to get to the finals until they came up against Anaheim.

The Ducks had been especially effective in virtually shutting down the Senators top line in the first two games, but Ottawa came back with ferocity in front of their home fans.

"We had a real big effort from everybody. We had a lot more energy -- there's no doubt about it," said defenseman Wade Redden, whose shot off the skate of Captain Daniel Alfredsson gave Ottawa the go-ahead goal.

STANDING UP

Some had blamed the Senators' performances on the soggy ice in Anaheim, their nine-day layoff before the Stanley Cup finals or the fact that they had not been familiar with the harder-hitting Ducks play.

However, they showed no hesitation in standing up to Anaheim on Saturday.

"I thought we cycled and battled and got pucks to the net and played with a lot more edge and were obviously more competitive," said center Mike Fisher, who scored Ottawa's second goal.

Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said he had to give Ottawa credit. "They outworked us, simple as that," he said.

He also lamented his team's lack of discipline with 24 penalty minutes.

It remains an uphill battle for Murray to win three of the remaining four games in the best-of-seven series, but he is only focused on the next one and is hoping to even the series through Game Four in Ottawa.

"On Monday night we have to play another hockey game here and play well, and try to get this thing in a position where can compete for a series lead in Anaheim," he said.

Ottawa, which rejoined the NHL after disbanding in 1932, last won the Stanley Cup in 1927.

(Additional reporting by David Ljunggren)