The Belleville Senators will get a steady diet of their divisional rivals the Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks) over the next month, playing them four times in January and kicked off that stretch with a 3-2 loss at CAA Arena on Wednesday night.
The B-Sens jumped out to a two goal lead but the experienced Comets pushed back with a strong third period and edged in front to beat Belleville for the second time this season.
Josh Norris and Alex Formenton scored for the Senators while Joey Daccord stopped 23 of 27 shots he faced.
Nikolay Goldobin had a pair of goals for Utica, with Justin Bailey notching the game-winner and Zane McIntyre making 25 saves.
Belleville Senators goaltender Joey Daccord puts his stick down to make a save, during a game against the Utica Comets at CAA Arena, on January 8, 2020. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
Belleville would open the scoring on their second power play of the game at 11:55.
The B-Sens wore down the Utica defence with a solid 1:30 of in-zone possession and Erik Brannstrom, Logan Brown and Norris combined for a one-timer to take the 1-0.
The goal is Norris’ 20th of the season and pads his lead atop the American Hockey League’s rookie scoring race.
That was the only scoring in the period.
Belleville’s power play struck again at 11:07 of the second after Norris took another shot and shattered his stick, with Formenton redirecting it past McIntyre.
Brown earned his second assist of the game on the play, with Norris getting the other helper.
Utica was able to get within one before the end of the period, scoring on a two-on-one at 14:48.
Brogan Rafferty fed Bailey, who beat Daccord with a wrist shot, just inside the post, on the glove side to cut the lead to 2-1 after two.
Belleville Senators forward Alex Formenton celebrates a goal, during a game against the Utica Comets at CAA Arena, on January 8, 2020. (Photo: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators)
The Comets would tie the game on a power play of their own at 8:21 of the third when Goldobin’s shot from the far circle deflected off the stick of Norris and past Daccord.
Goldobin’s second goal of the game came 2:00 later after some relentless Utica pressure in the Belleville end.
The Utica forecheckers forced a turnover and a quick feed off the far boards from Rafferty found Goldobin in the slot and he chipped it upstairs on Daccord.
Belleville wasn’t able to recover from that blow, registering just five shots in the period.
Head Coach Troy Mann says it was disappointing to miss out on the two points against a divisional opponent.
The Senators now head off on an eight game road trip that includes stops in Rochester, Utica, Winnipeg, Rockford, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee, before returning home to face the Comets again on January 25.
All of the games can be heard on 800 AM CJBQ for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
Mann says his team won’t change what it’s been doing, despite spending 16 games away from home and will continue to split the season into three-game segments and try to win two-of-three.
You can click here to see the box score from Wednesday night and see highlights from the game below.
