As the Olympic spotlight shines brightly, the Belleville Senators have been quietly struggling in the shadows. With more games played than their division rivals, the pressure was on to keep winning and secure a playoff spot.
Unfortunately, the team has faltered, going 1-4-0 since their last update, with their offense hitting a dry spell. It seems another playoff miss looms for the Belleville faithful.
February 14th: Belleville Senators vs. Hershey Bears (6-3 L)
In a game where several factors contributed to the loss, Leevi Meriläinen had a tough outing, allowing six goals on 23 shots, including some soft ones where the defense didn’t offer much help. The power play was another sore spot, going 1-for-6 and missing key chances to turn the game around.
Philippe Daoust and Lassi Thomson were bright spots, with Daoust tallying a goal and an assist, while Thomson fired seven shots and created scoring opportunities. Stephen Halliday, expected to shine during the Olympic break, seemed off his game.
February 16th: Belleville Senators vs. Hershey Bears (3-1 W)
Belleville found redemption in the rematch, with Meriläinen bouncing back by stopping 30 of 31 shots. The defense stepped up, limiting Hershey’s opportunities.
Thomson’s playmaking was rewarded with two assists, and Jorian Donovan impressed defensively, disrupting Hershey’s rushes. Up front, Daoust continued his strong performance with another two-point game, though Arthur Kaliyev was quiet, managing just one shot.
February 18th: Belleville Senators vs. Syracuse Crunch (2-1 L)
In a low-scoring affair, both teams combined for just 45 shots, engaging in gritty defensive play. The Senators’ penalty kill was perfect, but their forwards struggled to maintain pressure.
Despite a solid defensive effort, Belleville couldn’t match Syracuse’s finish, leading to a costly loss in the playoff race. Carter Yakemchuk played a strong defensive game, though his usual offensive spark was missing.
February 20th: Belleville Senators @ Providence Bruins (5-2 L)
The road trip began on a sour note as Providence delivered a heavy blow. Despite being tied 2-2 midway through the second, thanks to strong penalty killing and an Olle Lycksell shorthanded goal, the game slipped away with three quick goals from the Bruins.
Belleville’s response in the third was lackluster, allowing Providence to cruise to victory. Kaliyev’s 30th goal was a lone highlight in an otherwise disappointing effort.
February 21st: Belleville Senators @ Hartford Wolf Pack (4-0 L)
The New England swing continued to disappoint with a shutout loss to Hartford. Mads Søgaard, fresh from the Olympics, took the net but couldn’t spark the team.
Despite four power-play chances, Belleville managed just 20 shots, stifled by Hartford’s defense. Halliday had his best game recently, contributing significantly to the shot count, but the team’s lack of finish was glaring.
Down by two goals, the Senators failed to muster any significant push in the third, a concerning trend.
Looking ahead, Belleville needs a flawless run to keep playoff hopes alive. Their next challenge comes against the Utica Comets, the division’s weakest team, offering a chance to regain ground. Building Meriläinen’s confidence and refining Yakemchuk’s defensive skills will be crucial as the season progresses.