The Belleville Senators picked up a fourth consecutive victory and a couple more crucial points in the North Division playoff race, thanks to a 30-save shutout by Leevi Merilainen, in a 3-0 home win over the Utica Comets on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first period, which saw Belleville kill off three Utica power plays, the Senators would break the deadlock early in the second. Kyle Betts found a rebound in the slot and put a backhand shot past Isaac Poulter, for his third goal of the season. Rourke Chartier would score similarly about three and a half minutes later, tucking his fifth of the campaign by Poulter, to give the Sens a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
The Comets would outshoot Belleville 9-8 in the third period, but Merilainen would stay perfect and Angus Crookshank would deposit his 21st goal of the season into the empty net in the final minute.
