The Belleville Senators sent off 2019 with a shootout loss, but an exciting one, against the rival Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens) on Tuesday afternoon at CAA Arena.
Josh Norris had a pair of goals for the Senators, including the game-tying marker in the final minute, while Logan Brown also counted his first goal since being returned to Belleville from NHL Ottawa and Joey Daccord made 29 saves in the loss.
Laval controlled much of the game and opened the scoring on a shorthanded goal inside the first 4:00, following a huge pad save by Keith Kinkaid in the Rocket net.
Jake Evans carried the puck on a two-on-one from his own blue line, looked off a pass to Joe Cox, before tucking in his 7th goal of the year past Joey Daccord, to make it 1-0.
That would be the only scoring of the period.
Despite a bit of a pushback in shots by the Sens in the second period, Laval made it 2-0 at 13:14, on a power play goal by Xavier Oulette.
The veteran defender blasted home a slap shot from the point for his 6th goal of the season and his 4th on the power play.
Belleville was able to muster 10 shots in the frame, including a pair of chances by Drake Batherson and Norris on the power play inside the final couple of minutes, but couldn’t beat Kinkaid heading into the third period.
Belleville Senators defenceman Jack Dougherty battles with Laval Rocket forward Yannick Veilleux, in front of goaltender Joey Daccord, on December 31, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
The Belleville penalty kill took another hit at 3:43 of the third period when a rebound bounced into the slot to Charles Hudon who unleashed a slap shot past Daccord to increase the Rocket lead to 3-0.
But Belleville would battle back.
The Senators cut the lead to two when Norris, who led the league in rookie goals coming into the game, redirected a Frank Corrado shot by Kinkaid for his 15th of the season.
Coach Troy Mann then pulled the Daccord for the extra attacker with just under 4:00 left and the gamble paid off, as Brown pounced on a rebound to make it 3-2.
Then Norris buried his second of the game, another rebound during a scramble in front to force overtime and eventually a shootout.
Dale Weiss would beat Daccord five-hole on Laval’s second shot and Kinkaid would stop all three Belleville shooters, including Rudolfs Balcers with a sprawling poke check, to earn the extra point for the Rocket.
Belleville Senators forward Logan Brown makes a move on Laval Rocket goaltender Keith Kinkaid, during a shootout at CAA Arena, on December 31, 2019. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Mann says he was pleased to get the point, given the way his team played.
He added that the move to pull the goaltender so early may have been unorthodox to some, but was a calculated move.
The Senators continue a five game home stand on Friday when the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) visit CAA Arena for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.
Mann says it’s another crucial game for his club and a chance to respond after losing to the Amerks with two seconds left in the game last week.
800 AM CJBQ’s coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to read the box score from Tuesday night and see highlights from the game below.
