After a slow first period, Belleville Senators put forward a strong effort on Friday night, but dropped a valuable point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Manitoba Moose.
Manitoba jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period, starting with a Jansen Harkins power play marker, rifling a wrist shot past Marcus Hogberg.
The Moose’s second goal game about 10:00 later, on a similar play, but from the other side of the ice and even strength.
After a solid couple minutes of offensive zone possession, Seth Griffith scored his first of the game, to make it 2-0.
Belleville countered quickly on a power play goal from Nick Paul, after Vitaly Abramov drew a penalty off the ensuing faceoff.
It was 2-1 after the first.
Belleville got even on another power play goal in the second, with Abramov streaking in along the right side boards and throwing the puck across to Darren Archibald, who netted his 16th of the season.
Archibald also threw some big hits in the game and swung momentum in Belleville’s favour a couple of times throughout the night.
There was no scoring in third and Belleville almost had a chance to win 30 seconds into overtime.
Belleville Senators forward Nick Paul gets stopped by Manitoba Moose goaltender Mikhail Berdin, during a game at CAA Arena, on March 1, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Paul was hooked on a breakaway, but his penalty shot attempt was stopped by the glove of Mikhail Berdin, playing in net for Manitoba on his 21st birthday.
Shortly after that, the Moose stormed the net and Griffith knocked in his second of the game to end it.
Senators’ Head Coach Troy Mann says a better start might help turn the tides in the rematch on Saturday.
19 year-old Swedish defenceman Erik Brannstrom made his Belleville debut, after being acquired by Ottawa in the trade for Mark Stone and despite not finding the scoresheet, says they’ll need to play a complete game tomorrow night.
The loss is even more impactful because the Utica Comets picked up an overtime win of their and move back to two points ahead of the B-Sens for the final playoff spot in the AHL North Division, with one game at hand.
Belleville will try to get revenge on the Moose as they play the second game of their back-to-back on Saturday at CAA Arena, with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. and pre game coverage starting on 800 AM CJBQ at 6:50 p.m., for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to read the box score from Friday night and see highlights from the game below.
