As I sit atop the bleachers in CAA arena awaiting the players to take the ice for their fifth game of the campaign there’s a calm in the arena. While it’s almost certainly mostly in part due to the lack of people in the building as of yet, the tone is somber.

This reflects my intentions for this first game. I wanted to come into this game with as little context as possible. I did not know their record, who was on the roster, or even who they were playing this October evening. I wanted the arena staff and the players to set the tone for me.

The first period did not disappoint from an entertainment standpoint. The Belleville Sens play just like their big club from a physicality perspective. They pushed the tempo often and early. Halliday was the clear standout of the period. Showing poise and patience whenever touching the puck. Had one of the two A+ chances of the period as well. Touré stood out for the wrong reasons multiple times this period. Looking off open teammates in favour of shooting into shins. Culminating with a very poor boarding penalty. Alas, a silver lining on the penalty kill for the Sens. A short handed goal for Bourgault assisted by Daoust at 16:05 of the period. Exclamating just how sloppy that powerplay was. The rocket just didn’t have an answer for much of the period. Particularly the opening half. That being said they did push back in the back half of the period. With some stellar defensive plays to keep themselves in the fight. Highlighted mainly by Clurman knocking a puck out of the air saving a sure fire breakaway for the Sens. That being said, if you had asked which of the two teams didn’t have a win in the season going into this game, it wouldn’t have been the Sens.

The second period flips the script back in favour of the Rocket. They played a much more consistent brand of hockey from beginning to end of the period. Opening the period with a clinical powerplay goal, off of what looked to be a questionable high sticking call. Nonetheless at 1:29 it was Dauphin assisted by Farrel and Beck. After mostly jostling for the middle portion of the frame the Sens strike back with a tic tac toe goal of their own. At 13:14 of the frame. It’s Bourgault again assisted by Halliday and Kalyiev. Kaliyev makes the whole play happen. He had a much better second period. His hands are phenomenal. You can see why he went in the first round. Blink and you’ll miss it. It’s 3-1. Right off a faceoff win Hodgson scores from Washkurak and Yakemchuk at 13:48 of the frame just 34 seconds later. The following a small defensive breakdown by the Sens at 17:48 Engström from Dauphin and Didier. Just a well executed passing sequence and Engström made no mistake. It was starting to feel like the momentum was finally shifting towards the Rocket. Until a terrible holding penalty for Xhekaj to take immediately after they pulled within one goal in the closing moments of the second. And they pay for it. Bongiovanni from Halliday and Yakemchuk. A great show of the talent on that top powerplay unit. Worth noting that Yakemchuk has been improving as the game progresses. The whole team brand appears to be physicality and he doesn’t lack in that department. It would have been fitting if the teams split the frame 2-2 as it felt much more even than the first. However it wasn’t meant to be as the sens outscored the rocket 3-2 in the frame.

The final frame kicked off with a quick strike from Pilon at 1:49. Unassisted. But this certainly felt like the wind was leaving the Laval Rocket sails. Until Hodgson took an interference penalty. Perhaps this was one final hope for the Rocket to get back in this game. It was not to be, unfortunately. As the Sens delivered a strong effort on the kill. Then a few minutes after the kill the dagger. A floater beats Fowler for the 6th goal of the game for Belleville. Crotty from Donovan and Pilon at 9:24. For all intents and purposes this is the moment the game felt like it was over. Laval’s Davidson take a penalty just as they enter the back half of the frame but it all feels for not at this point. The Sens continued to push, but it largely feels like both teams are going through the motions. Score effects took over as the third period progressed. The shots in the third were not indicative of their quality. Laval really did not push back at all as the frame drew to a close. Worth noting that it was a great performance from Meriläinen. He made every save you could expect from your goaltender. That’s about all you can ask for out of a goalie. Give your team a chance to win.

1st Star Xavier Bourgault,

2nd Star Keean Washkurak

3rd Star Stephen Halliday

My first time covering a professional hockey game did not disappoint. The atmosphere of the building was great considering it was a Wednesday night game in October. The arena staff were top tier. They were very helpful and very professional. The boys on the ice did not disappoint either. It was a pleasure to watch for my first game, not as a fan of either team.

- Brock Finch/Olde City Sports Network

- Photo Credit/Belleville Senators

First Time Covering A Professional Hockey Game

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