A slow start and a load of turnovers cost the Belleville Senators a Friday night home win, as they fell 4-3 to the Hartford Wolf Pack at CAA Arena.
Head Coach Troy Mann says his team seemed a little bit too relaxed.
After going about 4:00 without a shot either way the Senators would open the scoring at 5:16 on the power play.
Drake Batherson extended his point streak by whipping a pass into the slot area, with Jack Rodewald tapping it past Alexandar Georgiev for his second of the season.
Filip Chlapik, who returned to the line up after missing Wednesday’s home opener, earned the other assist.
The Wolf Pack would answer just over a minute later, after a flurry of chances that Filip Gustavsson kept out, Hartford leading scorer Lias Andersson took a shot that got stopped and fought his way around the defender to knock in the rebound and tie the game.
Belleville got into some turnover and penalty trouble after which cost them.
Bobby Butler one-timed a shot from a tough angle in the near corner, on a two-man advantage, to make it 2-1 Hartford.
The Sens would get a couple of short handed breakaways courtesy of Batherson and Balcers to end the period, but couldn’t beat Georgiev again.
Belleville opened the second with a couple of quick chances, including a shot from Gabriel Gagne that rippled the outside of the mesh.
Hartford made it 3-1 right after a Belleville penalty kill, as Ty Ronning forced a turnover at the Belleville circle and weaved his way in, tucking it past Gustavsson.
The Senators cut the lead to one moments later when Francois Beachemin turned a blindly fired a loose puck into the top corner.
It was the second goal in as many games for the native of Rimouski Quebec, who had been called up from the ECHL Brampton Beast and says his confidence is growing each game in the AHL and that the team needs a more complete effort moving forward.
But the Wolf Pack regained the two goal lead at the 10:00 mark, with Cole Schneider taking a pass on the rush from Peter Holland, breaking in and finding a hole on Gustavsson, who was backing into the net.
The 4-2 scoreline stood after 40 minutes.
Belleville Senators forward Chase Balisy blocks a passing lane during a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, at CAA Arena, on October 19, 2018. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Belleville didn’t have much jump to start the third period, failing to score on a pair of power plays before the midpoint of the frame.
But the Sens got within one with about 5:00 when captain Eric Burgdoerfer was left with all kinds of time to walk in and blast a slap shot past Georgiev to make it 4-3.
Belleville would put on another late push but couldn’t score again and fall back below .500 with the loss.
Mann says his team needs to get back to playing the way it did last weekend in Winnipeg and keep its consistency.
The six game home stand continues Saturday night against the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres), with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. and pre game coverage at 6:50 p.m. on 800 AM CJBQ.
