By Canadian Press

Austin Czarnik scores late goal to lift Flames over Senators 2-1

Feb 24, 2019 | 9:45 PM

OTTAWA — Matthew Tkachuk won the inaugural battle of the brothers as the Calgary Flames defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-1 Sunday night.

Younger brother Brady did, however, win the individual challenge by scoring the Senators’ only goal.

Mikael Backlund and Austin Czarnik scored for the Flames (39-16-7), who have now won five straight. David Rittich made 22 saves.

Czarnik scored the winner in the final minute of regulation as he beat Anderson high.

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Craig Anderson was busy stopping 33 shots for the Senators (22-35-5), who have now lost four straight.

Sunday’s game marked the first meeting between Matthew and Brady Tkachuk at the NHL level, which was a welcome distraction for Ottawa fans who eagerly await news on Mark Stone’s future as Monday’s trade deadline approaches. Stone was a healthy scratch for the third straight game.

In addition to Stone, Cody Ceci and Mikkel Boedker were late scratches, leading to speculation the pair could also be on the move.

There were over 30 Tkachuk family members on hand for the game wearing specially made jerseys to support both teams. Prior to the game the brothers made a pre-game pact of no fighting with a handshake. A special moment saw the brothers take the opening faceoff.

Tied 1-1 to start the third, the Senators believed they took the lead on a power-play goal at 8:24, but the Flames successfully challenged for goaltender interference as it appeared Rittich had covered the puck. It was a near identical play to a Flames first-period goal that was called back as well.

The Flames dominated in the second period, but Anderson was able to come up big when necessary and the Senators tied it on Brady Tkachuk’s 14th of the season.

After being outplayed much of the period the younger Tkachuk took a pass just outside Ottawa’s blueline, broke in alone on Rittich and slid a backhand under the left pad. Brady Tkachuk looked up to where his family members were cheering and raised his arms.

It was the Senators’ first goal in 160:55 of play.

The Flames outplayed Ottawa in the first period, but only led 1-0.

Backlund opened the scoring at the four-minute mark with a quick wrist shot from the slot.

Matthew Tkachuk believed he had made it 2-0 just over three minutes later as he shoved the puck from under Anderson’s glove, but the Senators challenged and upon review it was ruled there was goaltender interference.

Notes: Anthony Duclair, acquired from Columbus as part of the Ryan Dzingel trade, made his Senators debut Sunday night. Calgary’s Curtis Lazar and Dalton Prout were healthy scratches.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press