Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed seven new senators Friday, including an elected senator from Alberta and Ottawa's police chief.

A Senate committee began 11 days of hearings on Wednesday on the federal government's controversial omnibus crime bill.

Taylor Hall scored 17 seconds into overtime Saturday as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-3. After taking the initial shot, Hall circled the Senators net and put a backhand into the back of the goal behind Ottawa goalie netminder Craig Anderson.

The Ottawa Senators' scoring binge has them closing on the Northeast Division-leading Boston Bruins. The Senators have a chance to make that race even tighter if they overcome an unusual injury to goaltender Craig Anderson.