The Belleville Senators playoff push got a little more difficult Friday night after a 3-1 home loss to the Hershey Bears.
Belleville outshot Hershey 25-13 through the course of the game, but once again struggled to score and fall another couple of points back in the race for the final playoff spot in the American Hockey League North Division.
Jayson Megna opened the scoring for the Bears 5:37 in when he jammed a puck past Marcus Hogberg on the power play, after the B-Sens netminder couldn’t find a rebound, following a shot from the slot.
Belleville got even before the end of the period with a power play marker of their own, courtesy of a Vitaly Abramov shot from the circle, which squeaked past Vitek Vanecek to make it 1-1 at 19:43.
Hershey would do the rest of their scoring in the second period.
First, Aaron Ness Hammered a long point shot past Hogberg at 3:16, then Shane Gersich found the puck in the slot and fired home a wrister at 10:27.
Belleville outshot Hershey 10-1 in the third period but couldn’t score again.
Belleville Senators forwards Jack Rodewald and Adam Tambellini celebrate a goal, during a game against the Hershey Bears at CAA Arena, on April 5, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Head Coach Troy Mann says it was a game of missed opportunities.
The B-Sens are right back at it on Saturday night at home against the Cleveland Monsters, who after beating Laval 3-2 on Friday, now hold a three point advantage over Belleville in the playoff race, with a game at hand.
Saturday’s game can be heard on 800 AM CJBQ, starting at 6:50 p.m., for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to see the box score from Friday and see highlights from the game below.
