Senators winger Parker Kelly ready to return after serving suspension

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Parker Kelly did the crime and has done his time.

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Suspended two games by the National Hockey League’s department of player safety for a hit to the head of Los Angeles Kings defenceman Andreas Englund last week, the Ottawa Senators winger will return Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

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It’s the first time in Kelly’s NHL career he’s been suspended, but he made it clear he meant no harm to Englund in trying to finish a check in the club’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings last Thursday in Los Angeles.

“I just felt it was kind of a tough hockey play,” Kelly said Wednesday after a lengthy skate at the Canadian Tire Centre. “I kind of took a bad angle to begin with and Englund kind of followed the puck and his head went down at the last second.

“I kind of realized I had put myself in a bad spot and, at that point, it was just kind of damage control. Thankfully, he’s OK with no injury. I’ve just got to move on.”

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Unfortunately, the game happens fast and it was a difficult situation for Kelly to avoid.

“I’m anticipating he’s going to take a step forward and I’m going to meet him there,” Kelly said. “He bobbles the puck, he’s one step behind and it’s a fast game and you’re making split-second decisions. It wasn’t my intention to go out there and hit him in the head.”

But Kelly plays a role that requires him to finish his checks. That’s his bread and butter, it’s why he’s been able to carve out a spot for himself in the NHL, and he’s had to overcome the odds to get here.

If he doesn’t finish that check, then Kelly is going to hear about it when he gets to the bench from one of the coaches or maybe the next morning when the club is going over video. He hasn’t been suspended before in his career because he plays the game the right way.

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“That’s part of my game. I’m going to finish those checks all day,” he said. “Riding that line of clean hits and dirty is tough sometimes. The league does a great job in making their decisions. I just have to be smart.

“I take pride in considering that I play on the edge and that’s my first suspension. Things are going to happen, but I think I’m a clean player and I hit guys the right way.”

Kelly’s return meant winger Jiri Smejkal was returned to the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Zack Ostapchuk couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

After making his debut in the club’s 2-1 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre, the rookie centre, who had been called up from Belleville, had lived his childhood dream and made his impact felt.

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The coaching staff was so impressed they even tapped the 20-year-old on the shoulder to take a shift during three-on-three overtime.

“I was a little surprised when they gave me the tap and said I was going,” Ostapchuk said. “I saw (Sidney) Crosby out there and that got my heart beating a little bit.”

But Ostapchuk halted a pass that was headed Crosby’s way and that helped to set up the winning goal by Drake Batherson.

“I just thought if that got to him, it wouldn’t be good,” Ostapchuk said. “Thank God I batted it down.”

He played 12 minutes and 44 seconds in his NHL debut and he was good, earning himself a trip to Columbus on the charter Wednesday to suit up against the Jackets.

“I was impressed how he played and how he was composed,” said interim coach Jacques Martin. “What I like is his strength. He’s got good size. He uses his body to protect the puck. He wins battles. A good example was in overtime, he won the battle along the wall, got the puck out. He has a good hockey IQ.”

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THE FINAL BUZZER

Defenceman Travis Hamonic skated for the second straight day in a non-contact jersey, but Martin noted there’s no timetable for his return. Blueliner Thomas Chabot has yet to skate after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury a week ago against the Anaheim Ducks … The victory over Pittsburgh allowed the Senators to sweep the season series against the Penguins. That’s the first time that’s happened since 2005-06. That will give Batherson something to brag about during his summer skates with Crosby in Nova Scotia this off-season. “No matter who we’re playing, we want to win, but they were my favourite team growing up so I get pretty excited when we play them,” Batherson said. “We’ll take the sweep against them.” … The last time the Senators faced the Jackets on Feb. 13 at home, captain Brady Tkachuk recorded his second career hat-trick in a 6-3 win. He heads into this game only a goal shy of surpassing former centre Radek Bonk for No. 7 all time in goals in franchise history with 152 … The Senators are winless in seven on the road with a 0-6-1 record in that stretch. The club’s last victory as a visitor was a 4-2 decision in Tampa on Feb. 19.

BGarrioch@postmedia.com

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