The Belleville Senators continued to struggle out of the gate early in the young season with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Marlies Friday night.
The B-Sens capped off a five game home stand Friday during which they split the previous four with a wins over the Laval Rocket and the Rochester Americans sandwiching back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Monsters.
The first period proved fruitless for both teams as it remained scoreless despite a Belleville interference penalty that sent the Marlies to the power play.
The deadlock was finally broken just under half way through the second period when Marlies defenceman Mac Hollowell got one past Senators goalie Kevin Mandolese to take a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later Toronto added to the lead with a power play goal by winger Josh Ho-Sang off of a Parker Kelly roughing penalty.
Before the period ended the B-Sens got themselves on the board when forward Andrew Agozzino scored his third of the season with the lone assist going to Kelly.
Both teams had two attempts on the man advantage in the period.
Toronto came out swinging in the third period and just five minutes into the third stanza they extended the lead to 3-1 off a goal by defenceman Brennan Menell.
Just a minute and a half later Agozzino netted his second of the game to get the B-Sens back into the game but that would be it as Toronto poured it on after that.
Ho-Sang and Joey Anderson both scored under 30 seconds apart and extended the lead to the eventual final score of 5-2 to hand the Belleville Senators their fourth loss of the season.
The Senators managed 28 shots on goal during the game against Toronto’s 35.
Mandolese made 30 saves for his part but the B-Sens were unable to provide much run support.
After the game Agozzino, who netted two goals on the game, spoke about the chemistry he’s had playing with Kelly who assisted on both of his goals for the night.
“That wasn’t the only feed he gave me throughout the game. He gave me a couple that I wish I converted on. Parker and I played a little bit in Ottawa together at training camp but I think our games complement each other really well and I’m having a lot of fun playing with him.”
He also said he was adjusting well to playing and living in Belleville, quipping that the last time he played in the city was against the Bulls in the playoffs a decade ago.
Head Coach Troy Mann said that discipline was an issue as Belleville took seven penalties on the game, one of which resulted in a Marlies goal.
“There’s certainly some things we could’ve done better tonight. Our discipline got away from us a little bit. Without watching the game over, I’m not sure how many were legit penalties, but when you start taking five, six, seven, usually anything over four against a team as skilled as the Marlies is going to back to haunt you a little bit so that was a bit of an issue. I thought we fuelled their transition game too much for the amount of skill they’ve got. Small-ish defence as well. Didn’t mind our forecheck but at the same time I didn’t like our structure and overall play at times. Certainly, I though the game was there for the taking. Mandolese gave us some great saves and there’s just a couple mistakes at the wrong times that cost us the hockey game.”
The B-Sens turn right around and hit the road Saturday to play the Marlies in Toronto as they look to get back in the win column.
The puck drops at Coca-Cola Coliseum at 4 p.m.
CJBQ’s broadcast begins at 3:50.
