(Belleville Senators forward Igor Sokolv eludes Stockton’s Mark Simpson at Calgary’s Saddledome Wednesday night.)
It was a triumphant homecoming for Belleville Senators rookie Mark Kastelic.
The former WHL star broke a 2-2 tie at 4:21 of the third period as the B-Sens (8-12-1) beat the Stockton Heat 4-2. The game was played at the Calgary Saddledome where Kastelic starred for four years including two as captain of the Calgary Hitmen. During the post game ZOOM conference Kastelic said it felt good to be back.
It was also a memorable game for defenceman Lassi Thomson. Ottawa’s number 1 pick of the 2019 draft scored his first AHL goal. He was glad to get that primate off his back.
Igor Sokolov scored the tenth goal of his rookie season while Parker Kelly added an empty netter.
Newcomer Angus Crookshank added two assists and now has points (1 goal and 7 assists) in all six games since joining Belleville from the University of New Hampshire.
Zac Leslie and Matthew Phillips responded for the Heat.
Belleville coach Troy Mann liked the way his team came back from Monday’s loss to Manitoba.
Shots on goal were even at 32 apiece as Filip Gustavsson Garrett Sparks in the Stockton net.
Belleville sits four points behind the fourth place Heat (10-12-1) in the Canadian division and hold two games in hand.
These teams go right back at it tonight (Thursday) in Calgary.