Game Recap Share this Sens outshoot opposition, but shut out in Rochester February 7, 2025 A busy Belleville Senators squad kicked off a stretch of 13 games in 23 days on Friday night against the division-leading Rochester Americans, but despite a 29-26 shot advantage, the visiting Sens fell 4-0 to the host squad, behind the third shutout of the season for goaltender Devon Levi. Rochester notched the opening goal just over halfway through the first period, when Konsta Helenius wired a wrist shot from the right circle past returning Belleville goalie Leevi Merilainen to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Then, at the 17:23 mark, a pass by Victor Neuchev missed his target in front of the net, but slid to an open Kale Clague at the backdoor, who one-timed the puck into a yawning cage for a 2-0 Rochester lead. Belleville racked up chances in the second to no avail. Angus Crookshank’s early opportunity from the right circle off the rush knocked the stick out of Levi’s hands, but it was enough to make the first save of the period. Soon afterwards, Jan Jenik found Jamieson Rees on a perfect cross-slot pass, but Rees’s one-timer was barely stopped by the shoulder of the Americans’ goaltender. The period was capped off by a Stephen Halliday chance from the net front at the buzzer, another shot on which Levi got just enough with his pad to keep it out. The Senators pressed in the third as well with a game-high 11 shots, but Levi solidified the shutout behind empty net goals from Graham Slaggert and Anton Wahlberg to give Rochester the 4-0 win. Belleville will travel to Utica to take on the Comets tomorrow night. You can see the complete box score by clicking here. Fast Facts Belleville outshot Rochester 29-26 in the game #35 Leevi Merilainen stopped 22 of 24 shots in first AHL appearance since December 14th, which was also against Rochester The Senators were 3 for 3 on the Viewtech Window & Door Penalty Kill, and 0 for 4 on the Lifestyle Home Products Power Play #9 Angus Crookshank led the team with five shots on goal Highlights: Media Availabilities: Sound Bytes: Head Coach Dave Bell on the team’s effort: “I thought we played pretty good. Like I said before, they’re first or second in most offensive categories and, with eight minutes left in the game, they had 18 shots on net, they had a goal that I know Leevi wants back, and one that was just a missed coverage goal. And other than that I thought we were pretty good.” Bell on potential frustration with so many Sens chances not finding the net: “The guys are getting frustrated – they take a lot of pride in trying to score goals. So we’re going to continue to work on it and the old saying is you worry when they don’t get the chances. But we’ve just got to keep them in a positive frame of mind and make them recognize why they’re getting the chances and where they’re getting chances, and at some point these are going to start to go in.” Up Next: Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Belleville Senators @ Utica Comets – 7:00 p.m. ET (Adirondack Bank Centre) Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Belleville Senators vs Laval Rocket – 7:00 p.m. ET (Canadian Tire Centre) Friday, February 14, 2025 – Belleville Senators vs Toronto Marlies – 7:00 p.m. ET (CAA Arena) Ticket Info: Tickets for all 2024-25 Belleville Sens home games are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com, or at the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena during select hours. Fans looking for details on other ticketing options can click the following links for more on becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com. — Visit the Belleville Sens website: www.bellevillesens.com Engage with the Belleville Sens on Twitter: @BellevilleSens Like the Belleville Sens on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellevilleSens Follow the Belleville Sens on Instagram: @BellevilleSens Listen to the Belleville Sens on Mixlr: www.bellevillesens.mixlr.com
