On Tuesday, the heartbreaking news broke that Senators’ captain Erik Karlsson, and his wife Melinda, had lost their son, Axel. Karlsson, understandably, took a few days out to be with his family during this difficult time.
He returned to the lineup on Saturday, and received a touching tribute from fans in attendance at Canadian Tire Centre.
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Good to see @ErikKarlsson65 back. Well done Ottawa #Sens pic.twitter.com/E4TRPuY25n
— x-Bailey (@BBB_Bailey) March 24, 2018
Great ovation for Erik Karlsson pic.twitter.com/ruRRxxVH2h
— Canebridge Analytica (@Nixon_Robocop) March 24, 2018
Senators and Hurricanes fans alike got to their feet to give Karlsson a standing ovation.
Emotional scene in Ottawa tonight as captain @ErikKarlsson65 comes back to the ice after the tragic death of his son. He’ll start the game for the #Sens
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) March 24, 2018
Karlsson later recorded an assist on a Bobby Ryan goal. The tally leaves him one shy of tying Daniel Alfredsson for the most 50+ assist seasons in Senators history.
In his return to action, Erik Karlsson picks up a 1st period helper vs CAR. He's now 1 shy of tying Daniel Alfredsson for the most 50+ assist seasons in @Senators history (5)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) March 24, 2018
Headline photo: @Senators
