Belleville Senators forward Ethan Werek sets a screen on Laval goaltender Charlie Lindgren, during a game at Yardmen Arena, on January 20, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
After a rather convincing Friday night win in Laval, the Belleville Senators couldn’t follow it up with another strong performance, being shut out on home ice by the Rocket 4-0.
Belleville was trying to carry over momentum from their win over the rocket on Friday night and got a good chance less than a minute in, but Jack Rodewald hit the post.
The B-Sens would get a couple other good chances on two-on-one rushes, but weren’t able to beat Charlie Lindgren, who was pulled Friday after allowing six goals on ten shots.
The Rocket, on the other hand, came out with a pile of energy and beat Marcus Hogberg three times in the frame.
At 6:26 Adam Cracknell tipped in his first of the game, on the power play, off an Eric Gelinas wrist shot.
Six minutes later, Hogberg lost sight of a rebound that popped up in the air and Marcus Eisenschmid knocked in the rebound.
And at 15:37, Cracknell scored his second, after he was allowed to walk right in front of the net, on the power play and slide the puck by Hogberg.
Laval outshot Belleville 16-9 in the first period.
Hogberg would settle in through the second and third periods, not allowing the fourth Laval goal until Matt Taormina blasted a slap shot past him five minutes into the period, again on the power play.
Three of the Rocket’s four goals came with the man advantage, while Belleville went 0 for 3.
Laval Rocket defender Eric Gelinas makes a pass during a game against the Belleville Senators, at Yardmen Arena, on January 20, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Tempers boiled over a number of times during the sixth meeting of the season between divsion rivals, with Jack Rodewald and Thomas Ebbing squaring off in the first period, after Jordan Murray took a knee-on-knee hit and then right at the final buzzer when a pile up led to both teams coming off their benches and staring each other down at the red line.
Coach Kurt Kleinendorst told media post game it was a disappointing effort from his team, during what’s been an encourage stretch of good play and good results.
Forward Max Reinhart spent some time on the blue line as well, with Belleville’s defence core depleted due to injuries and said despite the loss, he enjoyed the experience.
Belleville are off Sunday and will practice Monday and Tuesday, to prepare for a visit from one of the top team’s in the AHL, the Manitoba Moose, on Wednesday night at the Yardmen.
800 CJBQ will have that game for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden, starting at 6:50 p.m.
You can click here to read the full box score from Saturday night.
