The Belleville Senators push for a playoff spot continued at CAA Arena Wednesday, as they snuck past the top team in the North Division, edging the Syracuse Crunch 2-1 in a shootout.
Belleville struggled with some turnovers and was 0-for-7 on the power play but played strong defensively and kept one of the American Hockey League’s best offences at bay.
There was no score in the first period, although the B-Sens did get a couple of chances courtesy of Vitaly Abramov, who slid one chance through the crease and then fired another right at the chest of Syracuse goaltender, former Belleville Bulls and Wellington Dukes standout Eddie Pasquale
Belleville almost got in front early in the second as well, after a pass from Andreas Englund sprung Jack Rodewald, but he was stopped on the partial breakaway.
The Crunch opened the scoring at 13:39 of the second following a failed Belleville clearing attempt.
Andy Andreoff spotted Cory Conacher open around the right slot and slid a backhand pass across, with Conacher one-timing his 22nd goal of the season past Marcus Hogberg, who was back in net for Belleville, following a night off last Saturday on the road.
Belleville Senators defenceman Stefan Elliott looks for a pass during a game against the Syracuse Crunch, at CAA Arena, on March 27, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Belleville put a push on in the third period eventually tying the game midway through.
Cody Goloubef threw a big hit in the defensive zone to gain possession, then Erik Burgdoerfer and Logan Brown worked a nice high-to-low play along the left wing boards, ending with a pass across to Nick Paul, who buried his 17th of the year to make it 1-1.
Despite a Paul breakaway and a power play in overtime, the B-Sens couldn’t solve Pasquale again and were forced into a shootout for the ninth time in the season.
Brown opened the shootout for the B-Sens by chipping a forehand shot over Pasquale’s glove side, with Conacher answering for the Crunch by beating Hogberg with a high shot of his own.
Belleville’s Drake Batherson and Syracuse’s Alexander Volkov were both stopped on their respective second attempts, before Adam Tambellini beat Pasquale stick side and Hogberg used a poke check to stop Noah Valleau, giving Belleville the win and the crucial extra point.
B-Sens Coach Troy Mann says offence comes at a premium at this time of year.
He adds that at this point in the season and given Belleville’s push for a playoff spot, he doesn’t care how much his team scores, as long as they win.
The Belleville Senators celebrate a goal during a game against the Syracuse Crunch, at CAA Arena, on March 27, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Belleville will head back on the road for a date with the Wolf Pack in Hartford on Saturday, before returning home to welcome the Crunch again next Wednesday.
They’ll also host the Hershey Bears next Friday and then have arguably their most important game of the season next Saturday, when they welcome the Cleveland Monsters.
After Wednesday’s win Belleville is two points up on Cleveland for the final playoff spot in the North Division, but the Monsters have two games in hand.
All of those games can be heard on 800 AM CJBQ for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden, with pregame coverage at 6:50 p.m.
You can click here to see the box score from Wednesday night and see highlights from the game below.
