It was another disappointing game for the Belleville Senators Saturday as they dropped their third straight contest to the Laval Rocket 4-1.
After a strong western road trip in which they won four of seven games, the return home has been less than stellar.
The B-Sens continued to struggle to generate goals Saturday, the lone marker for Belleville coming courtesy of Egor Sokolov in the second period, but did manage more than 20 shots on goal after just 12 the previous game.
The Canadian North Division leading Rocket came out strong in the first period firing 13 pucks on Senators netminder Kevin Mandolese and took a 2-0 lead with goals from Jesse Ylonen and Cameron Hillis.
Sokolov notched his 12th goal on the season in the second period to answer a goal by Jordan Weal but that would be it for Belleville.
Rocket forward Joseph Blandisi scored early in the third period to seal the deal on a sweep of the three game series with Belleville.
Belleville Senators Head Coach Troy Mann said that in a year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many players who would normally be in the AHL either overseas or on NHL taxi squads, the talent pool has been affected for many teams.
Laval, he said, has been less affected by this than most teams and he said the proof is in their record of 22-5-2.
“They certainly have set the bar this year and their record indicates that. They’ve only got *five losses so, certainly it’s a measuring stick for us and our young guys. Our young guys are going to be fine.”
With a rotating cast of players due to the taxi squad as well as some notable graduates from last year’s team, new faces have been a common theme for Belleville this season. Newcomers like Angus Crookshank, who joined the team mid-season, have stepped into the fire for Belleville and proven to be effective.
Crookshank has played just 11 games for Belleville this season and sits fourth in points on the team with two goals and nine assists for 11 points.
Belleville sits tied for last in the Canadian Division with the Toronto Marlies, who have four games in hand, and the Stockton Heat.
Heading down the stretch, Belleville has six games remaining with one against Toronto, one more against Laval and they’ll finish the season with four straight at home at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa against the Manitoba Moose.
The B-Sens will have some time off before they hit the ice again Sunday, May 2 in Toronto against the Marlies.
