SENSNEWS

The wait is over! The Belleville Senators have won their first post-season game in franchise history! Belleville now holds a 1-0 series lead over their rival, the Toronto Marlies, in the best-of-three series.

Belleville Senators Post-Game Recap

The Senators put on one hell of a performance in game one. Zack Ostapchuk and Josh Currie led the way in the scoring department, with each player putting up a goal and an assist in the 3-1 victory.

Ostapchuk, who had a very strong finish to the regular season, continued his tremendous play in game one.

Mads Søgaard held down the fort in net for the Senators as well. After allowing the first shot of the game to get past him, Søgaard bounced back in a big way, stopping the next 17 shots en route to the victory.

Head Coach Dave Bell had to be happy with his team’s performance at both ends of the ice. Belleville’s offensive and defensive game plans seemed to be working out to near perfection, as they limited the Marlies to just 18 shots in the game while getting 38 of their own.

Tyler Kleven continued to impress in his first post-season game as well. As one of the Ottawa Senators’ top prospects, Kleven not only met but exceeded expectations in this one.

The giant defenseman scored one of the prettier goals of his career and was a nightmare matchup for the Marlies’ forwards all night long.

Angus Crookshank also made his return to the lineup in this game after sustaining a lower-body injury with the NHL Sens. Crookshank was slotted on the top line with forwards Rourke Chartier and Egor Sokolov.

Crookshank finished the game with 5 shots on goal and didn’t look out of place as he looks to get back up to game speed.

Josh Currie, Zack Ostapchuk, and Mads Søgaard all gave their thoughts following game one.

Mads Søgaard

“The support we get is unbelievable, especially the last little bit here; it’s the best I’ve seen during my time in Belleville.”

Mads Søgaard

“The last five, ten games, that was basically playoff games for us… I think we’re in a good mindset for playing important hockey.”

Mads Søgaard

“It’s about the playoffs, and it’s about getting to these games. But once you’re here, you’re not satisfied. You want to keep moving up and keep climbing. We’re trying to take it shift by shift, and do our jobs.”

Mads Søgaard

“To get this first one at home in front of our crowd is big, and it’s something that excites everyone in the room. We’re excited to go out there Friday and do our thing, and hopefully get another one.”

Mads Søgaard

Zack Ostapchuk

“It was fun; playoffs are always the best time of the year. I thought our team brought a lot of energy tonight, and I thought we played really well.”

Zack Ostapchuk

“I thought we really nailed our identity these last couple of games of the year… We did what we need to do.”

Zack Ostapchuk

“He’s (Josh Currie) a super smart player, I mean he’s been around for a while and he’s slippery out there. I mean he can move, and I think that compliments me really well.”

Zack Ostapchuk

“I think we got to play the same way, and even crank it up a notch. If we bring the same effort and attitude into Friday’s game I think we’ll be alright.”

Zack Ostapchuk

Josh Currie

“It’s special, any time you can be a part of a first for something in an organization it’s definitely a special moment. We definitely feel it in there, but the job’s not finished; we still need to get one more, so that’s where our mindset is. But yeah, it is definitely exciting.”

Josh Currie

“That’s kind of the recipe to our success; it’s been our recipe all season. We just have to stay with it. You have to stay consistent, especially this time of year… Bellsy (Dave Bell) and the coaching staff have relayed that all week, and they relayed it again after the win.”

Josh Currie

“It’s kind of been playoff hockey in the last eight or nine games. So we’re already kind of in that mentality. I think that kind of helps you.”

Josh Currie

The Senators will look to wrap up their series against the Marlies on the road Friday night. If they are unsuccessful, game three will be at the CAA Arena on Sunday, April 28th at 3:00 p.m.