Ottawa Senators' Andrew Hammond, nicknamed 'The Hamburglar' holds up a hamburger thrown on the ice after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on March 15. (The Canadian Press) Goalie Andrew "The Hamburglar" Hammond and Ottawa Senators coach Dave Cameron are throwing their support behind an Ottawa food bank's call for fans celebrating the team's victories to donate food instead of tossing it onto the ice.

Hammond's play since taking over the starting goalie job and the team's surprising playoff push — they've won seven straight games heading into Thursday's game against the New York Rangers — has made the team one of the top stories in the National Hockey League.

It has also sparked some exuberant fans to throw burgers onto the ice when the team wins.

During Monday night's 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa fans were warned twice about throwing burgers on the ice near the end of the game.

The Parkdale Food Market, a west Ottawa food bank, then suggested it would be more worthwhile to donate money to your local food bank rather than waste food.

That concept drew the support of coach Dave Cameron, who brought it up at his scrum with the media Wednesday.

"I thought that was a great idea and sometimes you appreciate the support and enthusiasm of your fans but sometimes it can be channelled in a better way and I would certainly back that up," said Cameron.

Hammond agrees.

Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond says he appreciates the support of fans, but thinks they shouldn't be throwing food onto the ice. (CBC) "The reason they are doing it is an honour, but in the big picture I'd have to agree with the food bank. If we can curtail this into a good cause I'm all for it. I've seen the toy hamburgers get thrown and if people want to do that at the end of the game I'm for that."

As Hammond has extended his improbable run — he's won 14 games and lost just once in overtime — the team has embraced his Hamburglar nickname. The team gave away Hamburglar masks at one home game last week and has also teamed with McDonald's Restaurants to let fans redeem their tickets for free burgers the next day.

Ottawa currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with ten games remaining.