The Belleville Senators celebrate a 3-1 win over the Toronto Marlies, at Yardmen Arena, on February 16, 2018. (Photo: Amanda Smith / Quinte News)
The Toronto Marlies hadn’t lost a game in regulation time since December 29, 2017, a stretch of 16 games with at least a point, until Friday night, when they met the Belleville Senators.
For the second Friday in a row the B-Sens put a strong performance together against the best team in the American Hockey League, but this time Belleville got the result they wanted, a 3-1 win.
Head Coach Kurt Kleinendorst says it may have been the team’s best performance of the year and says Danny Taylor was a big piece of the win.
Tylor made 25 saves and was named the game’s first star, with Tyler Randell, Ben Sexton and Jim O’Brien finding the score sheet.
Belleville Senators defenceman Max Lajoie congratulates goaltender Danny Taylor, following a win over the Toronto Marlies at Yardmen Arena, on February 16, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Randell’s goal, his third of the season, came midway through the first period when he beat Garrett Sparks on an odd-man rush.
Belleville led 1-0 after the first.
The only goal of the second period came about 6:00 in, when Filip Chlapik skated ot a loose puck in the slot, turned and fired it at the Toronto net and Sexton got a piece of it on the way into the net.
The Marlies looked to mount a come back in the third when Rinat Valiev pounded a one-timer past Taylor at 12:47, but Belleville would fend off the attack and O’Brien popped the puck into an empty net with five seconds to play.
Finnish defenceman Ville Pokka made his Belleville debut, after being acquired by Ottawa in a trade with Chicago and made an immediate impact offensively, registering five shots.
Belleville Senators defenceman Ville Pokka carries the puck during a game against the Toronto Marlies, at Yardmen Arena, on February 16, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
It was another sellout at Yardmen Arena, with 4,319 fans packing inside and one lucky fan taking home a B-Sens record of more than $11,500 in the 50/50 draw.
The Senators look to build off the win on Saturday when they welcome the Hershey Bears on Super Hero Night.
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m., with pre game coverage on 800 AM CJBQ at 6:50 p.m.
You can click here to read the full box score from Friday night’s game.
