The Belleville Senators were defeated 4-1 by the Laval Rocket on Friday night as the divisional rivals began a weekend doubleheader at Place Bell.
Laval opened the scoring at 8:50 of the first period when Devante Smith-Pelly capitalized on an unfortunate play in the Belleville crease after goaltender Filip Gustavsson lost his footing. The Senators continued to push for the equalizer, eventually finding it after Cedric Pare sprung rookie forward Chris Wilkie in alone on a breakaway with 7:27 left to play in the frame.
Danick Martel regained the Rocket lead, scoring the lone tally of the second stanza and eventual game-winner to make 2-1 with a shorthanded breakaway goal.
Jesse Ylönen put the contest out of reach, extending the Laval advantage to 3-1 at the 11:15 mark of the third period. Belleville would make a late push with the extra attacker out. However, Rocket defenceman Louie Belpedio ended any hopes of a comeback, hitting an empty net from the full length of the ice with 51 seconds remaining in the game.
