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Game Recap

Senators drop 6-4 decision in season’s first visit to Laval

November 16, 2023

Despite jumping out to a four-goal lead in the first period, the Belleville Senators suffered a 6-4 defeat to the Rocket, in their first visit of the season to Laval on Wednesday.

Boko Imama scored his first as a Senator early in the first period, taking a down low pass from Matt Boucher and beating Jakub Dobes, top blocker-side corner. That was followed by Graham McPhee’s second of the season less than a minute later, along with markers from Angus Crookshank (shorthanded) and Zack Ostapchuk (power play) later in the frame. Brandon Gignac got one back late in the period on the power play, batting a rebound past Leevi Merilainen.

The Rocket made a goaltending change at the start of the second, replacing Dobes with Strauss Mann. Laval would round out the scoring in the game as well, coming back with second period goals from Olivier Galipeau and William Trudeau, and then third period strikes from Sean Farrell, Mitchell Stephens (power play), and Tobie Bisson. 

Fast Facts:

  • #12 Boko Imama, who hails from nearby Montreal, scored his first goal as a Senator and the 27th of his AHL career.
  • #19 Matthew Boucher recorded his first two points of the year with a pair of assists.
  • #22 Garrett Pilon had two assists in the game.
  • #21 Max Guenette, #23 Cole Reinhardt and #52 Nikolas Matinpalo each had an assist.
  • #35 Leevi Merilainen stopped 34/40 shots he faced.

Highlights:

Sound Bytes:

Belleville Sens Head Coach Dave Bell on the turning point in the game:

“It’s a lack of attention to detail and discipline whether you’re up 4-1, or down 4-1, to stay within the system. We didn’t tonight and we learned a tough lesson.”

Media Availabilities:

Next Up:

  • Friday November 17, 2023 vs Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday November 18, 2023 vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) – 7:00 p.m. (Hockey Fights Cancer)
  • Saturday November 25, 2023 @ Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers) – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday November 26, 2023 @ Bridgeport Islanders (New York Islanders) – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday November 29 @ Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils) – 7:00 p.m.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all Belleville Sens home games through January 20, 2024, are now on sale online via the Belleville Sens Ticket Hub, or by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. Tickets for the second half of the season will be available for purchase beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday November 20, 2023, with information on hours for the Belleville Sens Box Office at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, to be released later.

Fans looking to buy second half tickets can secure those seats now, by purchasing season seat membershipsflex packsgroup experiences or Business Elite memberships.

The full 2023-2024 Belleville Senators regular season schedule can be found by clicking here.

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