Senators' Jake Sanderson apologizes for comments about Leevi Meriläinen

Jake Sanderson apologized to goaltender Leevi Meriläinen after comments following a 6-5 overtime loss, saying he was 'pretty embarrassed.' Coach Travis Green later called the reaction overblown and defended Sanderson.

Jake Sanderson apologized to teammate Leevi Meriläinen for comments he made after Meriläinen allowed six goals in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Sanderson said he was "pretty embarrassed," that he spoke to Meriläinen after the game and that teammates should build each other up. The remarks came after a postgame question about the team's goaltending and followed a string of starts by Meriläinen. Known facts: - Sanderson apologized directly to Meriläinen and described feeling "pretty embarrassed." - The remarks followed Meriläinen allowing six goals in a 6-5 overtime loss to Montreal. - Sanderson said Meriläinen made some good saves but added that a goaltender must make more than 10 saves to win. - Coach Travis Green said the reaction to Sanderson's comments had been overblown and defended Sanderson as a strong teammate. - Meriläinen was sent back to Belleville of the American Hockey League and Hunter Shepard was called up to the Senators. - The Senators entered the period with the NHL's lowest team save percentage (.866), and MoneyPuck listed Meriläinen and Linus Ullmark among lower marks for goals saved above expected; Ullmark remains on personal leave. Summary: Sanderson issued a public apology and acknowledged he should have waited and cooled down after the game. Green defended Sanderson and described the reaction as overblown. Meriläinen was assigned to Belleville and Hunter Shepard was recalled; further roster or lineup decisions are undetermined at this time.