Game Recap Share this Belleville Sens open 2022 with win in Toronto January 2, 2022 The Belleville Senators rang in the new year with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies, Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum, avenging Thursday night’s loss. Belleville controlled the game’s early portions, holding Toronto without a shot for the first 14 minutes of the contest. A stellar Senators penalty kill stifled three Marlies man advantages, keeping their offensive opportunities to a minimum in the first period. After a scoreless opening frame, Roby Jarventie would open the scoring at 5:42 of the second period, finishing off a rebound in the slot. Jarventie would mark his return to the lineup from the World Junior Hockey Championship. The Toronto Marlies solved Kevin Mandolese for the only time in the contest, scoring at 6:30 of the third stanza when Mikhail Abramov redirected a point shot past the second-year netminder on the man advantage. The Senators continued their push for a go-ahead marker as Rourke Chartier restored the Belleville lead with 9:43 left to play, finding the back of the net for the second consecutive game, throwing a nifty backhander from a sharp angle below the goal-line. The 401 rivals will conclude their three-game set Monday afternoon in a critical contest with both teams tied at 24 points apiece for the fifth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Fast Facts Andrew Agozzino appeared in his 600th career professional game. Kevin Mandolese made 24 saves, winning his third consecutive start. Roby Jarventie returned from the WJC in style, scoring his fourth goal this season. Rourke Chartier extended his point streak to four straight, having earned a point in all four of his appearances. Maxence Guenette recorded two assists for his first multi-point game as a professional. Sens on Special Teams: Power Play: 0/4 | Penalty Kill: 5/6 Sound Bytes: Head Coach Troy Mann: “Overall, I thought all four lines (specifically our top nine) and our defence were excellent. Then obviously Mando, when he was needed, made some key saves. That’s how you win, specifically in games where you’re generating offensive chances, but might not be getting the goals you need to win the game.” Goaltender Kevin Mandolese: “The legs were a bit heavy, but overall it felt good. It made it easy with the guys playing good in front of me. The first half of the game I didn’t have a lot of shots and at that point, you just have to stay sharp mentally and be ready for the next shot, but overall I’m pretty happy with my game.” Links: | Box Score | Highlights | Troy Mann Scrum | Kevin Mandolese Scrum | On the Schedule: The Belleville Senators return to action Monday afternoon when they visit the Marlies again. You can hear the game on the Senators’ Official Broadcast Partner 800 AM CJBQ or see it on AHL TV. Coverage begins at 2:50 p.m.
