Sanderson makes up for mishap with tying goal in Senators’ 4-3 SO win over Flames

OTTAWA – Jake Sanderson had no time to think about his mistake. Just the time left to make things right again.

The 23-year-old had a rare gaffe Thursday night and while many players might have been distracted by it, Sanderson had the poise and mental maturity to understand that moving on from it was the best thing.

Not only did Sanderson move on from it, he went on to make up for it by scoring the tying goal with 2:49 left in regulation as his Ottawa Senators went on to defeat the Calgary Flames 4-3 in a shootout.

“It was a bad play by me,” admitted Sanderson about his giveaway that led to the Calgary Flames taking a 3-2 lead. 

“Obviously, pretty frustrated right away, but looking at the clock, there was lots of time left and I can’t get too down on myself, or I take myself out of the game so, I just try to stay positive and move the puck north and play simple.”

About nine minutes after the mishap, Sanderson benefited from a slew of bodies in front and scored his third of the season.

“I knew I felt like I could be a little bit of a factor to get back in the game and just lucky, lucky bounce,” he said.

Sanderson might call it a lucky bounce, but his coach and teammates know it’s much more than that.

Even when he makes a mistake, head coach Travis Green knows he doesn’t need to come down hard on his top defenceman because he’s already taken accountability for his action and isn’t likely to repeat it.

“It’s funny how really good players in the league find a way to just get the job done,” said Green. “And I know he would have felt terrible if we didn’t because he comes close to playing mistake-free hockey, but that’s not possible.”

To no surprise, Green considers Sanderson an impressive player.

“He’s a very driven person first of all,” said Green. “I think elite players in the league, it doesn’t happen by accident. They’re driven to be their best version of themselves they can be or else they would come up short of how good they can be. He wants to be his best.”

Green also acknowledged Sanderson’s attention to detail, work ethic and considers himself fortunate to coach a player of his pedigree.

Just four seasons into his career, Sanderson already plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Every aspect of his game continues to trend upward. After setting a career high with 11 goals last season, he’s already scored three this year, putting him well on pace to surpass that mark.

While many of his colleagues are spending their free time playing video games, Sanderson is an avid reader about the mindset of athletes. He’s currently reading “Open” by Andre Agassi. Sanderson has shared that he’s into stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy focused on self-control and fortitude to overcome destructive emotions.

For Sanderson, mistakes aren’t setbacks — they’re lessons. With his blend of poise, purpose and perspective, it’s clear the young defenceman will be having a big impact on the Senators success.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2025.