The Belleville Senators put together another strong effort, but once again had a bit of bad luck in a shootout, as they fell 4-3 to the Marlies in Toronto on Friday night.
After the two teams spent most of the period getting a feel for each other’s new rosters and play styles, the Senators would edge in front in the final minute of the first. Captain Garrett Pilon wedged his way into the offensive zone along the left boards and was able to get the puck to Angus Crookshank, who looped his way back up toward the blue line and snapped a long shot past Artur Akhtyamov in the Toronto goal. Belleville took a 1-0 lead to the first intermission, while Toronto held a 6-4 shot advantage.
Keean Washkurak extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:14, knocking in a rebound in the blue paint for his first goal as a Senator. But, after a Stephen Halliday high-sticking penalty, Nikita Grebenkin tipped in Toronto’s first goal of the game past Leevi Merilainen. Toronto would tie the game about three minutes later when former Belleville captain Logan Shaw got in on a shorthanded breakaway and potted his first of the season. But Belleville pushed back in front at 11:49, when Oskar Pettersson got loose on a breakaway of his own and beat Akhtyamov to make it 3-2 Senators. Second period shots were 8-7 Belleville.
Toronto tied the game again just 27 seconds into the third period, a shot from the left circle was blocked and the rebound fell right to Nick Abruzzese, who potted his fifth goal in six games so far this season. Nobody else would find the net, leading both teams to have to play bonus hockey for the second time this season. Shots on goal after the third favoured Toronto 23-17 in regulation time.
The Marlies would carry the play through overtime, thanks to a power play that Belleville successfully killed off, but neither team could find the back of the net, sending both to a shootout for the second time this season.
And, for the second time this season, the Senators were foiled by a pair of posts in the shootout. Stephen Halliday and Matt Highmore both caught iron, while Xavier Bourgault just wasn’t able to beat Akhtyamov. Shaw was the only Marlies player to get one past Merilainen and that made the difference.
The Marlies and Senators will renew hostilities on Saturday night at CAA Arena.
