The BSens season is officially underway and actually began before Ottawa’s as they played their season opener the day before the Sens hit the ice in Toronto. Their performance through seven games has been a mixed bag, with some strong individual performances from newcomers and returnees carrying on from where they left off last year coupled with some penalty trouble and inconsistent defensive play, especially late in games.
October 2nd: Belleville Senators vs. Hamilton Hammers(5-2 L)
Belleville opened their season at home against the former Bridgeport Islanders, now Hamilton Hammers, AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. The Hammers not only make the crossover from the U.S. into Canada but also shift divisons, moving from the Atlantic Division to the North Division. Hamilton had their legs under them first, outplaying Belleville and scoring less than three minutes into the game. Belleville struggled to control the play, but newly acquired goaltender Jonas Johansson kept them in the game during the first. After Hamilton scored to go up 2-0, Xavier Bourgault brought Belleville within one off a fantastic shot on the powerplay. He was his usual self on the second line, controlling play, getting shots to the net and trying to set up teammates. After another Hamilton goal to restore the two goal lead in the third, former Sens first round pick Shane Bowers, on a professional try out (PTO) with Belleville, brought the team within one last in the game. Unfortunately, Blais took a momentum killing interference penalty with two and a half minutes to go in the game, leading to a Hamilton powerplay goal which effectively sealed the game. In his Belleville debut, Kasper Halttunen was spectacular, despite not getting on the score sheet. His defensive game is strong for a 21-year-old and he was throwing everything he could towards the net when he had a chance to.
October 4th: Belleville Senators vs. Rochester Americans(3-2 W)
This was a very sloppy and undisciplined game from the BSens, but they managed to secure their first victory. The top line got Belleville on the board early with a Phil Tomasino goal but moments later, Belleville took a too many men on the ice bench minor and Rochester scored on the ensuing powerplay. After the powerplay goal, Rochester kept the play in Belleville’s end for most of the remaining period, more than doubling them in shots. The second period was a flip of the first, with the BSens taking Campbell’s intermission message to heart and forcing Rochester to chase the puck and take 5 minor penalties in the period. Sammy Blais cashed in on the second powerplay to restore Belleville’s one goal lead. Rochester tied the game up in the third, outshooting Belleville 13-3 on the back of four powerplays of their own. While Blais is a talented player who provides lots of offence, he was particularly undisciplined in this game, taking four minor penalties, including two in the third. Jonas Johansson single-handedly saved the Sens in this game and was the obvious first star. I hope they paid for Johansson’s dinner after this one as he was the only reason they made it to the shootout and pulled out the win.
October 10th: Belleville Senators @ Syracuse Crunch(3-2 W)
Facing off against a familiar face in the Crunch net, Mads Søgaard, this was another game where Belleville got outplayed but came away with the win. Despite getting three powerplays in the first period, the BSens couldn’t generate much and looked very much like the parent club. Syracuse got the only goal of the period and continued to dominate Belleville in the second period, with Johansson, once again, being the only reason it was a one goal game. Thankfully, Kasper Halttunen was finally rewarded on the scoresheet with his first goal and point in a Belleville uniform two minutes into the third. Ryan Suzuki added his first of the season on the powerplay and Xavier Bourgault put the game to bed with a goal in the dying moments of the game. Johansson had another phenomenal game and fully earned the win.
October 11th: Belleville Senators vs. Utica Comets(4-2 L)
This game was a close back and forth affair, with both teams playing to a tie in the first period, as both teams got some good offensive chances. Jackson Parsons, in his first start of the AHL season had a decent first period, although his rebound control was still an issue. After going down 1-0 early in the second period, Belleville’s powerplay got a chance to tie the game up, but instead turned the puck over at the Utica blueline and the Comets defender found a teammate in alone who beat Parsons on a deke. Utica followed the shorthanded goal up with a powerplay marker of their own. Kasper Halttunen continued to be a one man army, throwing seven shots on net, getting the primary assists on both Belleville goals, and laying down some big hits just for good measure.
October 16th: Belleville Senators vs. Laval Rocket(5-4 OTL)
Easily the most frustrating loss of the season, as Belleville stormed out to a 4-0 lead halfway through the game, thanks to the herculean efforts of Halttunen, who potted a hattrick with Bourgault assisting on all three goals and Philippe Daoust getting helpers on two himself. Laval controlled play but Belleville made the most of their chances when they got them. Gifting the Rocket five powerplays came back to bite Belleville, as Laval got their first goal midway through the second off a Tyler Boucher hooking penalty. The third period was a complete collapse as Laval ran roughshod over Belleville, scoring three goals, including another powerplay goal and tripling the BSens in shots. Johansson’s heroics couldn’t hold back the Rocket’s offense as the team’s defenders missed coverage and had lots of trouble clearing the puck out of their zone. To add insult to injury, Belleville hero Halttunen took a tripping penalty in overtime, and Laval sealed the comeback with an overtime powerplay goal. Overall, just a horrendous team game, despite Halttunen, Bourgault, and Daoust doing all they could.
October 17th: Belleville Senators vs. Toronto Marlies(5-4 OTL)
Trying to erase their memory from their collapse the previous night, Belleville went right back to work the next night when the Marlies visited CIBC Place. Learning their lesson from the Laval game, Belleville was much more disciplined in this game, taking only two minor penalties and smothering the Marlies on both of their powerplay chances. Jorian Donovan, who has been yo-yoing between Ottawa and Belleville, had a solid game, something that has been lacking from him early in the season thus far. He was good at clearing the puck, getting a couple of good offensive looks, and looking much more like the player who solidified himself in the Belleville top four last season. Phil Tomasino also had an impressive game, leading the team offensively while Halttunen looked like he emptied the tank the previous night. Sammy Blais had his best game, playing with his physical edge but not putting himself in the penalty box as he has done multiple times in this young season. Unfortunately for Belleville, a better effort still wasn’t good enough as Toronto pulled out the win in overtime, beating Jackson Parsons, who looked better than he did against Utica but still left more to be desired.
October 18th: Belleville Senators @ Toronto Marlies(4-2 W)
The third game for Belleville in three nights, with a short trip down the 401 included for good measure. Sammy Blais got the game going with his second of the season eight minutes into the first period, redirecting a point shot from Hoyt Stanley. Phil Tomasino extended the lead in the second before Toronto pulled within one a minute later. The BSens played a solid neutral zone game, preventing Toronto from getting a ton of shots and taking home the win courtesy of two empty net goals with two minutes to go.
Through seven games, Kasper Halttunen has been a complete force. It took him a few games to adjust and get going but he looks like a complete player on the ice as a 21 year old. He would be my first call up to Ottawa, especially with the lack of goal scoring plaguing the Senators. Xavier Bourgault is still Xavier Bourgault, getting lots of good looks and stirring the offense when he steps onto the ice. Amongst the defenders, Hoyt Stanley has settled in nicely after his cup of coffee in the NHL and Djibril Touré is playing some solid defensive hockey to start the season. Jackson Parsons has struggled in his two starts and I wonder if Kevin Reidler will get an opportunity to play within the next two weeks.
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