The Ottawa Senators put on a statement performance against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, but it was a lighthearted bench moment featuring Nick Cousins and Brady Tkachuk that quickly went viral.
Ottawa protected a narrow 3-2 lead late in the third period when Colorado pulled its goalie for an extra attacker.
The Senators made the most of the opportunity, with captain Tkachuk scoring an empty-net goal to put the game out of reach and effectively seal the victory.
As Tkachuk skated back to the bench after the goal, Cousins greeted him in an unexpected way.
After bringing his captain in for a celebratory hug, Cousins began “slapping” Tkachuk, a playful gesture that drew laughter from teammates and immediately caught the attention of fans watching at home.
The moment, shared widely online, added an extra layer of entertainment to an already memorable evening for Ottawa.
The Senators then closed out a 5-2 victory over Colorado, capping off one of their most complete performances of the season.
