Battle of Ontario continues

OTTAWA, May 6 (UPI) -- After a disappointing marathon loss on the road, the Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night for Game Three of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinal series at the Corel Centre.

The "Battle of Ontario" is tied at a game apiece after Toronto posted a 3-2 triple-overtime win on Saturday. The Senators stole home-ice advantage with a 5-0 rout in the opener.

"We won one on the road, two would have been a bonus," said Senators goaltender Patrick Lalime, who turned aside 39 shots in the defeat. "Of course we're disappointed, but you have to look at the positives. Ottawa bounced back from an overtime setback in its previous playoff round.

The Senators reeled off four straight wins after dropping Game One of their quarterfinal battle with the Philadelphia Flyers, 1-0 in overtime. Gary Roberts scored 4 1/2 minutes into the third overtime Saturday to end the third-longest game in the Maple Leafs' storied history.

The Maple Leafs were outscored, 15-7, in losing all three road games against the New

York Islanders in the quarterfinals, but they have won the last three playoff games at the Corel Centre and seven of their eight road meetings with the Senators in the postseason, including four straight when going into overtime. Toronto has played without many of its regulars during the playoffs, including captain Mats Sundin, and might be without veteran defenseman Jyrki Lumme, who missed four games late in the regular season with a shoulder ailment. He suffered an injury to his upper body Saturday when he was checked hard into the boards by Ottawa's Chris Neil in the first period. The Maple Leafs played with five defensemen for the rest of the game.

Game Four is also in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, at San Jose, the Sharks host Colorado in Game Three of their Western Conference semifinal.

The Avalanche bounced back nicely on Saturday with an 8-2 rout after losing the series opener, 6-3.

Colorado improved to 7-0 in games after goalie Patrick Roy has surrendered at least five goals, outscoring opponents, 39-7.

Including the 1999 playoffs, the Avalanche are 14-5 in San Jose.

Game Four also is in San Jose on Wednesday.