Sunday, February 23, 2020
Belleville Senators 2020
Alex Formenton
(Photo-Courtesy of Belleville Senators-Jason Scourse)
For the
third time this season, we ventured out from “The County” to
watch the Belleville Senators. I am sure that many of you would agree
with me when I write that there is still a period of adjustment in
the area following the demise of the Belleville Bulls.
Too often do
I hear reasons why people do not show up at the rink, now the CAA
Centre. Most of the reasons, (excuses), are pretty lame. The brand of
hockey at the American Hockey League is far superior to that of the
Ontario Hockey League. I highly recommend at least one trip to the
rink to see the evidence for yourself.
You will
discover that the game is much faster, that the hitting is harder,
that the passes are crisper. The game is at a higher level. There has
also been a fair amount of complaining about ticket prices. Hogwash.
Check the web site, or call the box office. They make up packages
including souvenirs or meals at McDonald's that are as good as any
you will find at a OHL rink today.
Compliments
of a friend, we sat in the first row, directly behind the goal, at
the north end of the rink-the Zamboni end. No sooner had we
positioned ourselves, just before the warm-ups, when the Mayor of the
city, Mitch Panciuk, and his guest that evening Eugene Melnyk, walked
by us on their way to their seats. You may recall that Melnyk owns
the team, as well as the Senators in Ottawa.
The
Belleville Senators are enjoying their best season since moving from
Binghampton. Last year, the team finished in fifth place, with 82
points. They already have 82 points this season, and have 22 games
remaining! Their longest winning streak of seven games came to a halt
last weekend when they dropped a pair of games to their arch rival
Toronto Marlies. There were seats available at the rink last Friday
night. There was a rumour that the game was sold out. Ignore those
rumours. If you want to attend a Sens game, even against the Marlies,
I suggest you call the arena for tickets.
Most local
hockey fans are never happy when the parent club calls up
Belleville's best players, for a variety of reasons. Many of the
players who took the ice last weekend have been to Ottawa for a cup
of coffee or two. That is the very nature of a farm team. Young
players develop in the American Hockey League, and earn passage to
the NHL.
I received a
tip from one of the scouts to keep an eye on Belleville forward Alex
Formenton. He was drafted in the second round by the Sens in 2017,
following his junior career in London with the Knights. A lanky kid,
standing 6' 3”, he is a gifted skater, and a fine finisher. He has
22 goals, and 20 assists in the 48 games this season. He also has 52
minutes in penalties, indicating he does not shy away from some of
the rough stuff.
We witnessed
to plenty of “spirited hockey” at ice level, behind the goal.
That is where teams like to “cycle the puck”, to keep control in
the opposition end. The defending team does it utmost to clear the
zone, usually within the rules of the game. Penalties were about
even, but the Marlies did score on their power play, making a big
difference in the final outcome.
Formenton
played one game for the parent club in the 2017-2018 season, and nine
games last year. I suggest that if you wish to see him play in
Belleville, you had better head to the rink for one of the team's
remaining home games. They have 12 more home games, two against the
Marlies. As the playoffs approach, there will be more fans in the
seats. Last Friday's crowd was announced at 3 603, quite respectable.
Remarkably,
the Sens have a much better record on the road than at home: 27
points at home, and 43 points on the road! Go figure. So much for
home ice advantage. I will ask around to see if there is a reasonable
explanation. In the meantime, see you at the rink!
James Hurst
February 17,
2020.
-- James Hurst 613.399.2278 sportslices.blogspot.ca
# posted by James Hurst @ 6:05 AM 
