Belleville Senators Forward Colin White crashes the net against Toronto Marlies Goaltender Calvin Pickard, during a 3-1 loss on December 1, 2017. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
The American Hockey League’s Battle of Ontario shifted to the Friendly City on Friday night, but the action was far from cordial, as the Toronto Marlies beat the Belleville Senators 3-1.
The teams combined for 58 penalty minutes, including a pair of fights and some enormous hits, but Belleville went 0-for-7 with the man advantage, while Toronto went 1-for-7.
B-Sens Head Coach Kurt Kleinendorst told media after the game that the effort wasn’t good enough with the extra man.
Dmytro Timashov scored twice to pace the visitors’ attack, with Francis Perron netting the only goal for the hosts, his third of the season.
Timashov’s first goal came about 8 minutes into the first when two Belleville defenders collapsed around Chris Mueller rushing into the zone on the left wing side.
Mueller fed a pass across to Timashov, who made a quick move and then beat Danny Taylor low to the stick side.
Belleville Senators forwards Colin White (36) and Chris Kelly (22) scramble around the Toronto Marlies net, during a 3-1 loss at Yardmen Arena, on December 1, 2017. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Belleville’s best period was the second, when they put 11 shots on Calvin Pickard in the Toronto goal, forcing him to make at least two outstanding saves, one diving across the crease with his glove and the other kicking out his right leg low along the ice.
Perron would eventually beat Pickard by pouncing on a puck in front and slotting it home.
Timashov’s second goal came with about 5 minutes left in the second, when he caught Belleville on a bad line change, broke in on Taylor, faked a shot and then blasted a slapper into the back of the net.
Toronto added its third goal, a power play tip in by Kerby Rychel, about 3 minutes later.
There was no scoring in the third period.
Kleinendorst wasn’t laying blame on his goaltender, despite allowing three goals on 23 shots.
The coach said he’s hoping his team can capitalize on a few more chances and be more competitive, especially with a man advantage, when they visit the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night.
You can hear the game on 800 AM CJBQ starting at 6:50 p.m. on Saturday and you can click here to see the full box score from Friday’s game.
