After sweeping a doubleheader with the rival Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs) last weekend, the Belleville Senators couldn’t get the same result against their provincial rival and lost round three of the 2021 AHL Battle of Ontario, 3-0 on Wednesday night, in Toronto.
It was the first time Belleville had been shutout this season.
Due to injuries and call-ups to NHL Ottawa, Belleville Head Coach Troy Mann iced just nine forwards and seven defencemen, instead of the usual 12 forwards and six blueliners.
Jeremy McKenna, Joey Anderson and Scott Pooley all scored for Toronto, with Joesph Woll making 23 saves, to earn his first shutout of the season.
Kevin Mandolese took the loss in goal for Belleville, stopping 27 of 29 shots.
Not only were they short-staffed, but the B-Sens had also travelled to from Ottawa-to-Toronto on Wednesday morning instead of leaving on Tuesday afternoon (as they normally would) due to COVID-19 protocols.
The bus legs showed a bit to start the game, as the teams took the first 20 minutes to feel each other out, with Mandolese and Woll stopping everything that came their way.
The B-Sens came closest when captain Logan Shaw hit the post.
Belleville registered 10 shots and Toronto put up 12 in the first period.
Belleville Senators goaltender Kevin Mandolese sets up to make a save during a game at Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto, on March 24, 2021. (Photo: Christian Bonin / Toronto Marlies)
It wouldn’t take long for the Marlies to open the scoring in the second period, with McKenna’s third goal against Belleville in as many games, coming just 19 seconds in.
Nic Petan won a faceoff back to the 21 year-old American Hockey League rookie, whose shot squeaked past Mandolese, thanks in part to a screen in front by Kenny Agostino.
Toronto would get the lead on a shorthanded marker from Anderson, just past the 15:00 mark.
B-Sens defender Olivier Leblanc, playing in his first AHL game, couldn’t clear the puck around the boards and Anderson picked it off, skated into the middle and put a wrist shot up over the left shoulder of Mandolese.
That was all the scoring in the second, with Belleville getting outshot 9-6 in the period.
Their best chance was a clanged goalpost once again, this time courtesy of Cole Reinhardt.
The B-Sens legs continued to wear in the third period, without much offensive pressure and Pooley tacked on the empty netter for Toronto with just over 1:00 left.
Belleville Senators forward Parker Kelly tries to stuff a puck past Toronto Marlies goaltender Joseph Woll, during a game at Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto, on March 24, 2021. (Photo: Christian Bonin / Toronto Marlies)
Coach Mann says despite not generating much offence he thought his team played well defensively and he wasn’t displeased with his team’s performance, especially given the circumstances around the travel and missing players.
“We wanted to play one of those games where we played well defensively and hoped to capitalize on some opportunities. We did a good job in front of Mandolese tonight, he made some good saves to keep it close. I thought we collapsed well in front of our net and played well defensively.”
He added that he was pleased with his team’s work ethic.
“I thought the guys were ready and you can’t fault the effort tonight, it was a real good effort. But as the game progresses, some of those legs aren’t there as they normally would be, if you’re able to manage and play that four line type of game that’s obviously the norm.”
In terms of filling those roster holes for the upcoming weekend series at home to the Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames), Mann says it doesn’t look like there will be much reinforcements on the way.
Forward Jonathan Davidsson suffered an upper body injury in Belleville’s last game and is being evaluated. He’s considered week-to-week.
Belleville is also missing defencemen Hubert Labrie and Jonathan Aspirot, who are listed as week-to-week as well and there is no timetable for the return of injured forward Logan Brown.
Newcomer Angus Crookshank, a 5th round draft pick in 2018 who was just signed by the Senators, is in quarantine after just arriving in Canada from the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA.
He’s expected to begin skating with the team on April 1st and play on April 3rd, when the B-Sens are back in Toronto.
The B-Sens return to Ottawa for a pair of games against the Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames) on Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday (3:00 p.m.), with both games being broadcast in 800 AM CJBQ.
You can click here to see the full box score from Wednesday night.
