Belleville Senators forward Tyler Randell skates in front of the Manitoba Moose bench, during a game at Yardmen Arena, on January 24, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
After losing both games at home to the Belleville Senators earlier in the season, the Manitoba Moose got even, sweeping the Belleville leg of the season series, with a 4-1 win at Yardmen Arena on Wednesday.
The Moose had also picked up a 7-3 victory in their last visit to the Friendly City, on December 15.
Belleville got a chance early when Jim O’Brien settled a long, lofted pass and wrapped around the Manitoba goal, but lost the handle on the puck coming around the far side.
Moments later the Moose opened the scoring on former Ottawa draftee Dareen Kramer’s first goal of the season.
Kramer pulled the puck away from Kyle Flannagan, coming off the far boards and beat Danny Taylor five-hole with a wrister from the slot.
Flannagan would redeem himself slightly at about the 12:00 minute mark, blocking a rebound in front of a gaping net, after Garrett Meurs had hit the post for the Moose.
Manitoba made it 2-0 at 12:24 of the period.
Jamie Doornbosch, signed to his third pro tryout with the B-Sens this season, took a penalty and Michael Spacek ripped a low wrist shot past Taylor, off the ensuing face off just four seconds into the man advantage.
Another turnover would cost the Senators with less than five minutes left in the frame.
A Manitoba shot was stopped by Taylor, but ricocheted off Nick Petan and into the back of the B-Sens’ net to make it 3-0 after the first.
Belleville had a couple of chances early on in the second, on scrambles around the net, but couldn’t beat Eric Comrie until late in the period.
Before the Belleville goal, Manitoba made it 4-0, after a missed opportunity for the B-Sens on a two-on-one.
The Moose pushed the puck back down the ice and Mason Appleton buried a centring pass from Petan.
Then, in the final minute of the period Max McCormick buried a shorthanded marker on an odd-man rush with Jim O’Brien.
It was 4-1 Manitoba after 40 minutes.
Belleville Senators forward Max McCormick protects the puck along the boards, during a game against the Manitoba Moose at Yardmen Arena, on January 24, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
The B-Sens had a handful of third period chances, especially during a late-game power play, but couldn’t convert.
Belleville also kept the Moose off the score sheet in the third.
Coach Kurt Kleinendorst told media post game he was disappointed with the result, but not with the effort
After the game, the Senators presented veteran forward Chris Kelly with a banner signed by hundreds of fans, as he gets set to leave for Korea, to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics.
Kelly says the support locally and across the country, means a lot.
Belleville Senators forward Chris Kelly is presented with a banner signed by B-Sens fans, as he gets set to travel to South Korea, to represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The presentation was made following a game against the Manitoba Moose, at Yardmen Arena, on January 24, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Next up for Belleville is a trip to rival Syracuse on Friday and then a match up against the Rochester Americans at home on Saturday.
Both games are live on 800 AM CJBQ, with pre game coverage at 6:50 p.m., for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to read the box score from Wednesday night and see the highlights below:
