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Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Fisher still a plus in Senators' eyes
The 19-year-old rookie returned to the lineup during Saturday's 3-1 loss in Denver to the Avalanche and was on the ice for all three Colorado goals.
The goals weren't all Fisher's fault. There were four other skaters and a goalie on the ice when the Avalanche scored and coach Jacques Martin wants everybody to share the responsibility.
But Fisher was the only Ottawa player to be tagged with a -3 in the plus-minus category during that game, and the statistic stands out like a sore thumb.
Veteran Kevin Dineen said Fisher, his roommate during road trips, shouldn't let the result become a source of discouragement.
"I see a lot of drive and dedication and skill in him," said Dineen. "The guy has ability to play at this level. He felt he had a real tough game in Colorado the other night. The trick is to not get too excited about it; just get ready for Colorado again."
Fisher will probably get that chance when Ottawa hosts the Avalanche in a return match tomorrow at the Corel Centre.
With centre Bruce Gardiner out because of a strained left knee, Fisher will likely get his second crack at the Avs.
"Everyone has an off game here and there. You just have to put it behind you," said Fisher. "We know what to expect from them. We've seen some of their players. We just have to watch every line that's out there."
The Avalanche had last change in Denver and used the situation to play centre Joe Sakic at times when Fisher was on the ice. Sakic scored once and also had an assist on a goal by Claude Lemieux.
"I thought (Fisher) responded all right," said Martin. "We've always played like five players when we don't have the puck. It's not only one player that's responsible for the other individual."
If Fisher plays tomorrow, it'll be his first game at the Corel Centre. He would have gotten a shot during the last home stretch, but a hip injury sidelined him for a week.
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