Pascal Leclaire News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 9

Ottawa Citizen

"In the ongoing game of goaltender roulette the Ottawa Senators have played this season, Pascal Leclaire's number has popped up again. His solid effort in the team's 2-1, flu-stricken, shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday has at least earned him the chance to start tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, the first of three games in western Canada. Or so it would seem. The whole world will know for sure this morning when coach Cory Clouston, as per custom, announces his starting goalie. But it would be an odd coaching move if Leclaire, who started Saturday's game because Brian Elliott was ill with the flu, didn't start. After all, against the Leafs, Leclaire did respond to the ..."

Pascal's principle

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March 9

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire hopes his roller-coaster of a season is about to hit a nice, flat stretch. The Senators goaltender doesn't know whether he or Brian Elliott will start Tuesday against the Oilers at Rexall Place as Ottawa opens a three-game Western Canada road swing, but Leclaire served notice in Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs that his season is far from dead. Coming off a 30-save performance less than 48 hours after being pulled when he gave up two goals on five shots against the Hurricanes on Thursday, Leclaire knows there are ups and downs during an NHL season. "It changes quick in hockey. One day you're a zero, then you're a hero and the next day you're a zero again," ..."

Leclaire gets yanked around

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March 5

Ottawa Sun

"It was only last Monday that coach Cory Clouston said he wanted to get both Senators goalies "playing with confidence" before the playoffs. How can Pascal Leclaire have any left now? Making his first start since Jan. 12, Leclaire was yanked at 6:23 of the first period with the Hurricanes leading 2-0 on just five shots. Leclaire should not have shouldered the blame. Before the first goal, defenceman Brian Lee fell down, allowing Tom Kostopoulos a clear path to the net. Leclaire made the first save off Kostopoulos' backhand, but could not stop the shot that followed on the rebound."

Leclaire, Donovan return for Sens

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March 4

Ottawa Sun

"Two Senators will be in the starting lineup for the first time in more than six weeks when they play the Hurricanes Thursday night. Pascal Leclaire, who hasn't started a game since Jan. 12, will be between the pipes while Shean Donovan will see his first action since Jan. 19. Replacing Donovan as the healthy scratch will be Jesse Winchester. Leclaire replaced Brian Elliott for the final 22 minutes of Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. "It was real good to get him in and give him some minutes," coach Cory Clouston said of Leclaire, who stopped all nine shots he faced. "It should give him a lot of confidence going into tonight.""

Leclaire glad to be back on ice

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January 31

Ottawa Sun

"When he could finally sit in front of the TV again without getting a headache, Pascal Leclaire realized he enjoyed watching The Bachelor. When he returns to work on a full-time basis in a week or so, Leclaire could be The Celebrity Apprentice. Leclaire, the Senators' No. 1 goalie when he suffered a concussion 2 1/2 weeks ago, will find himself reduced to the role of backup if Brian Elliott keeps playing the way he is. In winning six games in a row, Elliott has stopped 164-of-170 pucks fired his way. "He's been playing great," Leclaire, who practised with the Senators Friday for the first time since his injury, said of his partner. "I think that helps out quite a bit. He stepped up his game ..."

Leclaire nears return to Sens' crease

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January 30

Ottawa Citizen

"Within a week, the Ottawa Senators will have something they've only rarely had this year: a completely healthy roster of players. Goalie Pascal Leclaire, out with a concussion since Jan. 14, practised with the team for the first time on Friday and is expected back within the week, while centre Jesse Winchester, who injured his right knee in a Jan. 9 game against the Florida Panthers, is available to play whenever coach Cory Clouston wants to use him -- or can find a spot for him in the lineup. With the team riding a record-tying eight-game winning streak into this afternoon's game against the Montreal Canadiens, that's difficult. Alex Kovalev didn't practise on Friday, but Clouston said ..."

Leclaire nearing return to Senators' lineup

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January 29

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire, who has been out with a concussion for the last two weeks, could be ready to play again in as little as a week. The goaltender practised with the team on Friday for the first time. It's now a matter of regaining his timing and conditioning."

Leclaire returns to practice

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January 29

Ottawa Sun

"The streaking Senators welcomed another key player back to practice Friday when Pascal Leclaire skated with his teammates for the first time since suffering a concussion Jan. 14. Leclaire, the team's No. 1 goalie, is taking a day by day approach to his return. Coach Cory Clouston guessed Leclaire could be ready to play in a week."

Leclaire back skating after concussion

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January 25

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire, out with a concussion for almost two weeks, has started skating on his own, giving the Ottawa Senators some hope he could be back in the next few weeks. Leclaire was injured during the team's morning skate in New York City on Jan. 14 when he was hit in the head by a shot from Mike Fisher. Meanwhile, backup Brian Elliott was named one of the NHL's three stars of the week. He is on a four-game winning streak."

Plot thickens in Sens' crease Leclaire doesn't look good

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January 16

Ottawa Citizen

"As far as goalie controversies go, it's difficult to match the soap operas that Ray Emery and Dominik Hasek starred in during their days with the Ottawa Senators. But the latest one that is enveloping the team is picking up steam, as a couple of storylines took some sudden turns on Friday. One had Pascal Leclaire, the team's No. 1 goalie, walking around looking as if he had been sledgehammered in the head. After getting hit by a shot from Mike Fisher during a two-on-one drill during Thursday's morning skate in New York, he was said to have only suffered a slight concussion. But from his foot-dragging gait and the loopy look on his face on Friday, he didn't appear to be a goalie who would ..."

Leclaire Out With Concussion

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January 15

TSN.ca

"The Ottawa Senators will have to make do with the services of Mike Brodeur and Brian Elliott for a little while, as the team said Friday that goaltender Pascal Leclaire will be sidelined for at least the next week with a concussion. Leclaire was hurt in practice during a 2-on-1 drill on Thursday after being hit by a shot. The injury prompted the team to recall Brodeur from Binghamton of the American Hockey League."

Leclaire's concussion appears long-term

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January 15

Ottawa Citizen

"Judging from the way he looked when he spoke to reporters in Montreal Friday morning, Ottawa Senators goalie Pascal Leclaire is going to be out for some time with what looks like a serious concussion. During a two-on-one drill during Thursday's morning skate, Leclaire took a shot from Mike Fisher square on the forehead. Leclaire said it temporarily knocked him out. When he recovered he quickly left the ice. The headaches and dizziness started almost immediately. He couldn't even watch his teammates beat the Rangers 2-0 because the picture seemed to be spinning."

No puck luck for Pascal: Leclaire out after taking another one in the head

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January 15

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire is having a tough time keeping his head out of the way of flying pucks. For the second time this season, he has been sidelined after getting hit in the head by a puck. During Thursday's morning skate here at Madison Square Garden, he took a puck in the head that knocked him out of Thursday night's game against the Rangers. There was no word on how long he might be out, but he declined an interview request before the game, telling a team spokesman that he "didn't feel up for it." Leclaire's first bit of bad luck came in the form of an errant puck that flew over the boards and fractured his cheekbone as he sat on the bench during a game against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. ..."

Leclaire hurt at morning skate, Elliott ill

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January 14

Ottawa Citizen

"The Senators find themselves in a goaltending crisis as they head into Thursday night's game against the New York Rangers. They don't know who's going to play. Pascal Leclaire took a shot during the morning skate and won't be able to play. Brian Elliott is sick and may not be able to play. So Mike Brodeur has been recalled from Binghamton and may play if Elliott can't. Coach Cory Clouston said he couldn't offer more because he was uncertain about the status of his players. It was unclear exactly where Leclaire got hit and he wasn't made available to the media."

Leclaire's problems continue in Washington

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January 8

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire probably thought it was safe to go to the Verizon Center without a flak jacket Thursday night, given the NBA suspended gun-toting Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas earlier in the week. Too bad there was a collection of rapid-fire specialists called the Washington Capitals ready to take a plethora of shots at him. The Caps are 7-0-1 when taking 40 or more this season, and while they didn't quite make it there Thursday night, the 38 they got through to Leclaire were enough to secure a 5-2 win. The way things are going for the Ottawa Senators between the pipes right now, they need to cling to any positives they can find. Sure, they lost, but at ..."

Leclaire ready to go against Capitals

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January 7

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire will get the start when the Ottawa Senators face the Washington Capitals Thursday night. The Senators' No. 1 netminder missed practice Wednesday after an opposition player fell on him during the Senators' 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins the night before, but he said he was feeling fine at the morning skate."

Leclaire, Kovalev suit up

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January 7

Ottawa Sun

"Both Pascal Leclaire and Alex Kovalev will shake off nagging injuries to be in the lineup tonight when the Senators play the Capitals at Verizon Center. So will Erik Karlsson, the rookie defenceman who will be facing Alex Ovechkin for the first time in his career. Karlsson, who is minus-10 in 26 games, was in the minors when the Senators and Caps squared off at Scotiabank Place Nov 23. Coach Cory Clouston said he contemplated inserting veteran Chris Campoli into the lineup ahead of Karlsson. Instead, Campoli will be a healthy scratch tonight for the seventh time this season. "There was some thought, but other than a couple of plays I thought Erik has played well since he got back into the ..."

Senators goalies struggle to find consistency

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January 7

Ottawa Citizen

"Sometimes handling goaltenders can be a bit like driving nitroglycerin trucks. You need to push them hard enough to get to your destination on time, but you're always wary they could blow up at any time. Such is the case with the Ottawa Senators, who were cruising along with three wins in four games last week before Pascal Leclaire and Brian Elliott turned in a couple of unstable performances. As the team embarked on a long and bumpy road it hopes will eventually lead to the playoffs, coach Cory Clouston gently prodded his netminders Wednesday to pick up the pace. "We have to give them more support, but they also have to be better for us," Clouston said as the Senators prepared to face the ..."

Kovalev and Leclaire sit out practice

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January 7

Ottawa Sun

"To explain the absence from practice of a player who has only minor bumps and bruises or simply needs a break, Cory Clouston generally uses the term "maintenance day." The players have another word for it. "Yeah, it's Princess Day today," Pascal Leclaire said at Chris Neil's prodding from across the dressing room. "Skip practice, give it a day of rest and be ready for (Thursday night)." Alex Kovalev had a Princess Day, too. While each made the trip to Washington, neither is certain to play when the Senators go up against the Capitals at Verizon Center (7 p.m., TSN). "Both should be ready, but we're not positive," Clouston said after declaring it a "maintenance day" for Leclaire and ..."

Leclaire shows the right stuff

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December 29

Ottawa Citizen

"With forwards Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza sidelined for weeks to come, the Senators will need their goaltender to steal games. Something like Pascal Leclaire's performance against the Montreal Canadiens, with a house full of Habs and Senators supporters expressing equal parts derision and delight at every twist and turn. And there were plenty of them. Centre Mike Fisher, bidding for an Olympic spot, had a go-ahead goal disallowed on a questionable goaltender contact call — but not a penalty — on winger Chris Neil late in the second period. Neil has brushed his teeth harder than he brushed Jaroslav Halak, but, in the view of referee Kerry Fraser, he was in too close. No worries for ..."

Leclaire ready to step in against Penguins

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December 23

Ottawa Citizen

"The Ottawa Senators got by with Brian Elliott between the pipes, but now it's time to see if they can excel in front of Pascal Leclaire. The team's No. 1 netminder is expected to return to game action tonight, exactly one month after an errant puck flew into the players' bench and broke his cheekbone during a game against Washington. While coach Cory Clouston never reveals his starter before game day, Leclaire was clearly under the impression he'd be facing the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena. "I'm really excited, especially getting a chance to do it before Christmas, it's good," Leclaire said following practice Tuesday. "It has been a long time -- freak things -- but it's behind me ..."

Senators get early gift

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December 22

Ottawa Sun

"The Senators are getting a couple of early Christmas gifts: Pascal Leclaire and Chris Neil. Both were on the ice today at Scotiabank Place and are expected to return to the lineup tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena. While the Senators will have a two-day Christmas break after facing the Penguins, getting Leclaire and Neil back is welcome news. Centre Josh Hennessy and goalie Mike Brodeur were return to the club's AHL affiliate in Binghamton. GM Bryan Murray said it will be good to have both players back. "We got Pascal for a reason: He's our No. 1 guy ... and the No. 1 guy should give you the confidence to know that you are safe in a lot of areas," said Murray. ..."

Leclaire back at practice

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December 20

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire still needs clearance from doctors to get back into a game, but he practised Friday with his Ottawa Senators teammates for the first time since suffering a fractured cheekbone Nov. 25. The plan is for Leclaire to start either Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins or Dec. 26 versus the Buffalo Sabres. Leclaire received a test at practice Friday, showing no ill-effects after taking a shot off his mask. "I think I'm more worried if someone falls on me or I get an elbow," he said following the workout. "That's more direct and more like a punch in the face. The doctors just want to make sure, because if (the bone) pops up again, I'm going to have to get surgery again and I'm ..."

Leclaire mulls weighty issue

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December 19

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire has an extra belt notch to work with heading into the holiday season. The Senators No. 1 goalie practised with his teammates Friday for the first time since breaking his cheekbone Nov. 25, then afterwards said it'll be a slimmer and trimmer version of himself who meets either the targeted return date of Dec. 23 in Pittsburgh or the Boxing Day game in Buffalo. Leclaire, who is listed as a 6-foot-2, 202-pounder, says he lost about 10 pounds during the 14 games he's been out. He's gained only about two or three of them back so far. "The first week I just had soup and yogurt," said Leclaire. "I don't know, I'm nice and lean. Good time for Christmas, I guess. "It is what it is," ..."

Leclaire likely back in 10 days

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December 10

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire should be able to return to the Senators' net to face either the Minnesota Wild Dec. 19 or the Boston Bruins Dec. 21. Of course, sooner would be better for a team that heads to Philadelphia and tomorrow's meeting with the Flyers having won just one of its last six games. Leclaire, Ottawa's No. 1 goalie, has been out since suffering a broken cheekbone while sitting on the bench during a game on Nov. 23. Leclaire was back on the ice taking a few shots yesterday and again today before team practices at Scotiabank Place. "Probably another 10 days," coach Cory Clouston said when asked about Leclaire"s expected return. "Basically, when he's ready to practice he's ready to play ..."

Leclaire to return in 10 days: Clouston

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December 9

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston expects injured No. 1 goaltender Pascal Leclaire to return to the lineup in about 10 days. Leclaire had surgery last month to repair a broken cheek bone, forcing backup Brian Elliott to start nine consecutive games. "Basically when (Leclaire's) ready to practice, he's ready to play almost," Clouston said after practice Wednesday. "Everything else is physically fine, it's just a matter of making sure if he took a shot on the spot that it doesn't cause further damage." Rugged winger Chris Neil was also back on skates Wednesday, but he's still two weeks away from rejoining the team."

Leclaire gets behind his mask again

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December 9

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire was feeling cheeky yesterday. The Senators goaltender was on the ice before the club's morning skate in full gear — including a mask — and faced shots for the first time since suffering a broken cheekbone Nov. 25, when he was struck by a puck on the team's bench. It's an encouraging sign because Leclaire, who has missed eight games, is scheduled to be out for about a month. GM Bryan Murray said the Senators will have a better idea today how much longer Leclaire will be out. The netminder was scheduled to have an X-ray last night."

Leclaire still laughing despite injury

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November 25

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire has chosen laughter as the best medicine. The Ottawa Senators' No. 1 goaltender will be sidelined four weeks with a fractured cheekbone after a puck deflected off the glass behind the players' bench and hit his face during Monday's 4-3 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals. It's the flukiest injury yet in a career marked by ailments all over his body, but Leclaire chose to look on the bright side, joking about "seeing what's cool in Hollywood" when he's forced to have plastic surgery to repair the damage. "It's something, in 20 years, that I will laugh about," said Leclaire, who yields the starting job to Brian Elliott and whose spot on the active roster has been ..."

Leclaire laughs off freak injury

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November 25

Ottawa Sun

"The puck put a dent in Pascal Leclaire's cheek, but not in his funny bone. The Senators goaltender will be lost for at least a month with a fractured cheek bone after he was hit by an errant puck while sitting at the end of the Senators bench during the club's 4-3 overtime win over Washington Monday. When asked if he would wear his mask when he was backing up from now on, he replied: "Or maybe a construction helmet." Leclaire, who also sustained a lower-body injury Saturday, will visit a surgeon Wednesday. He needs to have a small fracture repaired and will likely require some cosmetic surgery, as well. "Maybe I'll look at some calf or ab (abdominal) implants, too. I'll have to see what's ..."

No. 1 goalie Leclaire out with a broken cheek bone

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November 24

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators No. 1 goaltender Pascal Leclaire has a broken cheek bone, the result of being hit by an errant puck while on the bench during Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. The team confirmed the injury Tuesday morning after Leclaire missed practice. The netminder will need minor surgery and is expected to be out four weeks. The incident, which occurred when a deflected puck bounced off the glass behind the Senators bench and off Leclaire's face."

Leclaire out four weeks

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November 24

Ottawa Sun

"Senators number one goaltender Pascal Leclaire has a fractured cheekbone and will miss up to a month of action. Leclaire was injured during the second period Monday when he was hit in the face with a puck while sitting on the team bench. The puck flew up off the ice and struck him in the left cheek. He is scheduled to see a doctor tomorrow and it is believed he will require surgery to repair the damage. "It's disappointing, totally bad luck. I don't know the odds. If you see it the other way, it could have hit me in the eye," said Leclaire. "Sitting on the bench and getting a puck in the face. It's something I'll laugh about in 20 years. "I didn't see it coming. I was talking to one of the ..."

Leclaire injured in Senators' victory over Sabres

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November 22

Vancouver Province

"To borrow from Satchel Paige, the Buffalo Sabres shouldn't look back. Something might be gaining on them. The "something" is the Ottawa Senators, now just one point behind the Northeast Division leaders after handling the Sabres 5-3 at Scotiabank Place on Saturday night. The Senators have won three straight for the first time this season; for the Sabres it's their first three-game losing streak. In the dressing room, the usual joyous mood from having whipped Pittsburgh and Buffalo in consecutive games was tempered by the loss of starting goaltender Pascal Leclaire to a lower-body injury. Leclaire was hurt in the second period when Buffalo's Jochen Hecht fell on him in a goalmouth scramble. ..."

Leclaire gets the nod against Penguins

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November 19

Ottawa Citizen

"The Ottawa Senators are sticking with the same lineup that got them a win earlier this week, which means Pascal Leclaire will start in goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday. Leclaire has struggled of late, but was spectacular in a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. He turned aside 30 shots on the night, including 15 in the third period. He'll need to be good again against the likes of Penguins centres Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin."

Leclaire stops Leafs cold

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November 18

Ottawa Sun

"The Battle of Ontario was alive and kicking Tuesday night. So was Pascal Leclaire. The Senators goaltender kicked the rival Toronto Maple Leafs when they're down with a sparkling 30-save performance in a hard-fought, hard-hitting, 3-2 victory in front of only 17,406 at Scotiabank Place. It might have been the first time in the history of the rivalry the building wasn't filled. Those who didn't show up missed a two-goal performance by Mike Fisher, two assists from Alexei Kovalev and Milan Michalek's eighth goal of the season. Though there was plenty to smile about, nobody was wearing a wider grin than Leclaire. He came up huge in the third period with big stops off Alexei Ponikarovsky, ..."

Sens' Leclaire quiets doubters

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November 18

Toronto Sun

"The Maple Leafs hit Pascal Leclaire's throat, the goal post and the cross bar -- everything but the back of the net. Such was the frustration in the final 20 minutes for the visitors, who could not find a way to tie the score in a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators last night at Scotiabank Place. "I felt pretty good," Leclaire said afterward. "It was a fun game. It was easy to get into it because the crowd gets so loud. I don't know if it was my best game but I managed to make some good saves." None better than the one midway through the third period off Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin."

Leclaire back in goal against Leafs

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November 17

Ottawa Citizen

"Ryan Shannon and Peter Regin will sit as the Ottawa Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Place tonight. In their place, Jesse Winchester and Shean Donovan will play. Pascal Leclaire will be back in goal for the Senators, after Brian Elliott was in for the last game against the Rangers. "Pascal's our No. 1 goalie," said coach Cory Clouston."

Leclaire likely to start

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November 16

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire might not be at the top of his game these days, but expect him to get the call in the Ottawa net Tuesday when the Senators meet the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ottawa coach Cory Clouston doesn't name his starter until game day, but expect to see Leclaire make the start against the struggling Maple Leafs. He is the club's No. 1 backstop and there is no reason to start a goaltending controversy at this stage of the campaign. Brian Elliott has played well, including his performance Saturday in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the thinking is the Senators want to give Leclaire a chance to get into a groove. "We're confident. It's a long season," said Clouston. "Both ..."

Leclaire confident despite recent woes

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November 14

Ottawa Citizen

"Pascal Leclaire knew he was coming to a pressure-filled hockey market when the Ottawa Senators traded for him last season. Now he's learning what it's like to play in a goalie graveyard that's still haunted by nightmares about the spirit-crushing soft goals of the past. While it's too early to assess Leclaire's contribution to the Senators after just 13 games, fans who have awoken in a cold sweat shouting "Gerber!" can be forgiven for wondering why Leclaire is letting in so many stinkers lately. Neither Leclaire nor his coach has figured that out yet, but both are confident a solution can be found. "I think I had a pretty good start, and then maybe last week I had some ups and downs, but ..."

Shannon and Leclaire will play for Senators against Flyers

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November 12

Ottawa Citizen

"Ryan Shannon will be in and Jesse Winchester and Shean Donovan will sit as the Ottawa Senators take on Ray Emery and the Philadelphia Flyers here tonight. The Flyers, with 19 points, are one point ahead of the Senators. Pascal Leclaire will be in goal for the Senators as Emery prepares to face his former teammates."

Net letdown for Leclaire

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November 8

Ottawa Sun

"Pascal Leclaire's 27th birthday party was shaping up to be a dandy. He was beating his idol, Martin Brodeur, in a game that marked the 1,000th start of the future Hall of Famer's career. Leclaire had made great saves off Jamie Langenbrunner and Nicklas Bergfors, and two more that caused the shooters (Brian Rolston and Zach Parise) to look at the Scotiabank Place ceiling in disbelief. Those glances might have somehow weakened the concrete, because Leclaire was sailing along just nicely when the roof fell in on him at 4:38 of the third period Saturday night. "I thought the second goal was the turning point for them," Senators coach Cory Clouston said of a David Clarkson shot from a tough ..."

A young Leclaire was big fan of Brodeur

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November 7

Ottawa Citizen

"Perhaps Ottawa Sena-tors goaltender Pascal Leclaire was trying to make Martin Brodeur feel too good about himself. Maybe he was thinking the veteran New Jersey netminder would let down his guard when the teams meet at Scotiabank Place tonight. On Friday, after practice, Leclaire couldn't say enough about Brodeur, who is one shutout short of tying Terry Sawchuk's NHL record of 103, a mark that once seemed as secure as Wayne Gretzky's all-time points record. Once Leclaire got started on the topic of his goaltending idol, he was like a faucet, overflowing with praise about what Brodeur means to a legion of young Quebec goaltenders, about his upbeat personality, his athletic style in net and, ..."

First goal, Leclaire's hot hand add up to good results

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October 22

Ottawa Citizen

"The Ottawa Senators are making life easier for themselves by scoring first, but they're not fooling themselves. While they've now scored the first goal in six straight games, they know the results could be far different without the outstanding goaltending of Pascal Leclaire in the opening moments. What has been somewhat lost in the past two games, in which the Senators have outscored their opponents 10-2 with a 7-1 romp over Tampa Bay and a 3-1 victory over Montreal, is the fact Leclaire has kept opponents scoreless with the team beginning games slowly. In years past, the Senators haven't received those timely saves. "Obviously, it's a definite advantage when you score first," said Mike ..."

Leclaire-Fleury links go back a long way

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October 13

Ottawa Citizen

"Meet Pascal Leclaire, role model for Stanley Cup champion Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins. When Fleury was just starting his junior career with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Leclaire had already established himself as an East Coast star with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. Leclaire, now 26, was a first-round draft selection (eighth overall) by the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets in 2001, and he won silver with Canada in the 2002 world junior championship. Fleury, now 24, was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2003 and won -- you guessed it -- silver for Canada in the 2004 world junior championship. Since then, ..."

Leclaire looking forward to facing rival Leafs at ACC

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October 6

Toronto Sun

"While Pascal Leclaire got his first glimpse of the Battle of Ontario from afar last season, he's ready to step on to the battlefield tonight for real -- on enemy ice. With the Maple Leafs and Senators both looking for win No. 1 of the young season, it's likely tonight's game will feature plenty of intensity. The Senators won't confirm their starting goalie until today, but it's for games like this that GM Bryan Murray dealt for Leclaire. He has faced the Leafs only twice in his career and has a 3.56 goals-against average, with a .865 save percentage. "I'm looking forward to it. I was here last year when (the Leafs) came (to Ottawa) and the atmosphere in the rink was really special. It ..."