Belleville Sens score seven, split series with Springfield

For the first time in franchise history, the Belleville Senators defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds. The 7-5 victory Saturday night not only split the weekend set but ended the B-Sens four-game losing streak at CAA Arena.

The Thunderbirds would strike first as Sam Anas opened the scoring 1:17 into the game. Former Senators’ forward Matthew Peca extended the visitor’s lead on the power play at 7:51 with a highlight-reel spin move in the slot. Belleville cut into Springfield’s lead late in the frame when Michael Del Zotto scored his third goal in two nights. The score after the first period was 2-1 for Springfield.

The second period began with a Rourke Chartier shorthanded marker 1:21 into the stanza. Springfield, however, would restore their lead midway through the second period when Mackenzie MacEachern beat Kevin Mandolese over the glove, prompting a goaltending change. After crashing the crease with the man advantage, Hugh McGing increased  the lead to 4-2. Roby Jarventie would answer with his fifth goal of the season just nine seconds later at 18:09 of the second period to reduce Springfield’s lead to 4-3.

With 11:54 to play, Belleville headed to a string of 5-on-3 man advantages. The Senators would take advantage as Logan Shaw, and Egor Sokolov scored 11 seconds apart, registering the game-tying and the go-ahead tally.

The Senators’ man advantage continued to click as Chris Wilkie found the back of the net with 8:30 to play. Egor Sokolov continued his strong play scoring his second goal of the game, this time at even strength, extending Belleville’s lead to 7-4

Nikita Alexandrov cut the differential to 7-5 for the T-Birds on a delayed penalty with their goaltender pulled at 16:41. Springfield continued to press for a goal but could not reduce Belleville’s lead.

Fast Facts

• Belleville tied a season-high seven goals. The franchise record is eight.
• Defencemen Xavier Bernard and Zac Leslie extend their point streaks.
• Egor Sokolov scored twice, breaking a nine-game goalless drought.
• Rourke Chartier, Roby Jarventie and Michael Del Zotto each collected three points.
• Logan Shaw scored his first goal of the season
• Mads Sogaard earned his seventh win this season, turning aside 11 shots.

Sens on Special Teams: 

Power Play: 3/8 | Penalty Kill: 2/4

Sound Bytes:

Head Coach Troy Mann on the game:

“Our PK has been so good this season, and obliviously the last two nights (Springfield) was able to score four goals, two each night. It was nice to see our power play respond, especially tonight with three important goals and by important guys that had been struggling to put the puck in the back of the net.”

Troy Mann on Egor Sokolov and Logan Shaw:

“When you start thinking about Soko and Shawzy, those two guys, we need those guys to contribute offensively. I know Shawzy it’s been bothering him quite a bit that he hasn’t been able to get his first goal here this year; it was nice to see him get one and Soko with two really nice goals there.”

Links:

Box Score | Highlights | Troy Mann Scrum

On the Schedule: 

The Belleville Senators are back in action Wednesday when they visit the Toronto Marlies. 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.v