The good news is the Belleville Senators stretched their streak of games with at least a point to 11, but that bad news is, they dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to the Cleveland Monsters on Friday night.
It was the first of back-to-back meetings between the teams as the B-Sens continue a four game in six day stretch at CAA Arena.
Cleveland’s Nikita Korostelev opened the scoring at 3:28 of the first period, tipping a pass from Sam Vigneault past Marcus Högberg, on the power play.
That was the only scoring of the first period.
Belleville got even midway through the second on Christian Wolanin’s sixth goal of the season.
The defenceman had a chance to slam home a rebound into a half-empty cage, but elected to wrap around the net instead and tuck the puck past a sprawling Jean-Francois Berube to tie the game.
Belleville almost jumped ahead in the third period, but Berube robbed Francois Beauchemin on a two-on-one rush and the B-Sens also couldn’t capitalize on a late-game power play, which stretched into overtime.
Adam Tambellini opened the shootout by scoring for Belleville and veteran Mark Letestu countered for Cleveland, but Drake Batherson and Wolanin both missed their opportunities and Korostelev ended up netting the game winner, beating Högberg low along the ice.
Belleville Senators forward Jim O’Brien returned from a 53 game injury layoff, during a game against the Cleveland Monsters, on February 15, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Bellville Senators)
B-Sens Head Coach Troy Mann told media post game he felt not scoring on the power play made the difference and was overall happy with the way his club competed.
There was also one significant roster note for Belleville as Jim O’Brien returned from a 53 game absence, following a serious injury in the preseason, however Logan Brown was a late scratch and will be re-evaluated before Saturday’s rematch.
In some other good news, the Toronto Marlies lost to the Providence Bruins on Friday, meaning Belleville is now just two points out of the last playoff spot in the AHL North Division.
The rematch with the Monsters goes Saturday night at CAA Arena, with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop and a 6:50 p.m. broadcast time on 800 AM CJBQ for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to see the box score from Friday night and see highlights from the game below.
