2023-12-07 02:44:00
LAVAL, Qc – The Belleville Senators were not played the same trick once morest the Laval Rocket and they triumphed 5-2, Wednesday evening, at Place Bell.
The Montreal Canadiens’ farm club is currently going through a long journey through the desert, but it scored its last victory on November 15 once morest the Senators, following erasing a 4-0 deficit in the first period.
David Bell’s training was ready.
Defensemen Tyler Kleven and Lassi Thomson both had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who posted their second straight victory. Garrett Pilon scored twice while Egor Sokolov completed the scoring.
Kevin Mandolese lost his first career shutout in the American Hockey League when Riley McKay beat him with 4:23 remaining in the game. The Quebecer concluded the game with 28 saves for the Senators (9-8-3).
Lucas Condotta scored the other goal for the Rocket (5-12-4), who suffered an eighth consecutive defeat. Strauss Mann gave up four times in 27 shots.
It was Arber Xhekaj’s first career AHL game. The big defender was demoted Monday, following returning from an upper-body injury. Known for his physical play and his ability to throw down the gloves, Xhekaj kept things rather quiet on Wednesday.
The Rocket will return to action at home Friday night, in the first of two clashes once morest the Hartford Wolf Pack.
More quick goals
The Senators once once more got off to a good start at Place Bell. On November 15, they took 5:06 before taking a 2-0 lead. On Wednesday, they needed 5:24.
Forgotten in the left circle following accepting a pass from Thomson, Sokolov fired a one-timer that hit the post to Mann’s right before finally finding its way behind the Rocket goaltender.
Just 99 seconds later, Jiri Smejkal did some good work behind Mann’s net and brought the puck forward. Pilon won his battle and pushed the disc behind the red line.
The game came alive following a check from Xhekaj and the two teams began to get out of hand. Bokondji Imama, in particular, looked for a client and invited Xhekaj to fight, but the latter wisely refused.
While Laval focused their efforts on Imama and physical play, the Senators hit the scoreboard early in the second period. As a penalty on Brady Keeper was regarding to be called, Kleven fired a shot from the point that broke Joshua Roy’s stick before deceiving Mann’s vigilance between the pads.
Imama’s indiscipline opened the door for the home team, who had three consecutive power play chances, including one complete, to close the gap. Unable to really establish themselves in enemy territory, Jean-François Houle’s men even received a cold shower before the end of the engagement.
After Condotta abruptly ended the Rocket’s power play, Thomson fired a point shot that weaved through traffic to shake things up.
While the Rocket had removed Mann in favor of a sixth player during a power play, Pilon threaded the needle to increase the Senators’ lead to 5-0.
McKay and Condotta scored within 95 seconds to reignite the fans’ flames, but it wasn’t enough.
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