Belleville Senators split close two game series

By Kyle Ellington

BELLEVILLE–The Belleville Senators had a tightly contested match-up against the Laval Rockets as they split a two-game series over the weekend at the CAA Arena. 

The team’s first test on Friday against the Rockets was an absolute nail biter as the game ended in a shootout.

Neither team could gain an advantage through regulation and a 2-2 tie game forced an overtime period where there was still no decisive winner.

The Senators lost in a shootout, the final score was 3-2.

The second game Saturday in the series was another close one.

Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom was dishing out the puck and got an assist hat trick, giving the Senators momentum.

It seemed that the Senators were cruising to victory until two clutch goals from the Rockets centers Alex Belzile and Nikita  Jevpalovs forced the game into overtime.

The Senators didn’t have much to show offensively in overtime as they were only able to get one shot off but Senators, goalie Marcus Hogberg didn’t let anything go past him denying all eight shots from Laval in overtime.

The game entered into a shootout where Centre Logan Brown scored the only goal to give the Belleville Senators the win.

The team came away with a 6-5 victory and are closer to clinching a playoff berth.

The Senators are currently six wins and four losses in their last 10 games. The team currently sits fourth in the North Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference as they are looking to reach closer to their goal of a playoff position. 

The Senators will play against the Utica Comets on Wednesday at the CAA arena at 7 p.m.