Photo and story by Belleville Senators.
The Belleville Senators were shutout for the second time this season, falling 4-0 to the Cleveland Monsters in Ohio Friday night.
Marcus Hogberg made 16 saves in the Belleville net. Cleveland’s Brad Thiessen turned away 26 shots while Mark Letestu (2), Kole Sherwood and Miles Koules found the back of the net.
Letestu gave his side the lead just 51 seconds in as he tipped a point shot from Tommy Cross that slid under Hogberg’s left pad for his 16th of the year. The hosts doubled their lead at 5:27 as Sherwood scored on a partial breakaway after Jordan Murray’s turnover at the blue line.
Belleville nearly got back into game twice on the same power play opportunity but Jack Rodewald and Cody Goloubef both saw their shots his the post and crossbar respectively.
The second was rough affair as after Logan Brown and Chase Balisy had glorious chances for the Senators, things started to get physical as Darren Archibald blasted Adam Clendening at centre ice with a big hit before Murray and Zac Dalpe dropped the gloves with the Sens blueliner dropping the veteran forward with an uppercut. Archibald and Brad Gallant would also scrap seconds later before Letestu grabbed his second of the night at 13:50 to make it 3-0.
The Monsters’ lead was 4-0 through Koules at 6:56 as he scored from an acute angle as the puck popped loose at the side of the net after a Cleveland forecheck as he buried his fourth of the year.
Sens forward Nick Paul played in his 200th career AHL game while Goloubef played in his 300th contest. Belleville finishes the year 0-4 in Cleveland this season while Thiessen recorded his 27th career AHL shutout.
The Senators find themselves in a 3 way battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in their division, along with Utica and Cleveland.
Belleville are back in action Monday when they visit the Toronto Marlies. Gametime in Toronto is 1:30. CJBQ’s broadcast begins at 1:20.
Below you can hear Jack Miller interview Senators Head Coach Troy Mann.
