Entering Friday night, the Belleville Senators were cold heading into their game against the Rochester Americans with losing five of their last six games.
Friday night saw a dominating performance for Belleville as they defeated Rochester 5-0 at CAA Arena to keep their hunt alive for the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. Belleville now trails the Cleveland Monsters by four points for the fifth spot in the North Division with seven games remaining.
During the game, Belleville got major contributions from four players to help earn the shutout win.
4. Tristen Robins
On March 7, Tristen Robins was traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Ottawa Senators in part of the Fabian Zetterlund trade. In his 11th Belleville game since the trade, Robins made a huge impact against Rochester.
Robins recorded his first two-point game in Belleville by recording two assists in the win. Robins recorded the primary assist on both goals he assisted on. Robins recorded his first two-point game in the AHL since Jan. 26.
3. Oskar Pettersson
Prior to Friday, Oskar Pettersson was on a major cold drought. Pettersson had not scored a goal and had not recorded a point in 23 consecutive games. Both droughts ended against Rochester.
Pettersson recorded the first two-goal game of his AHL career and his first two-point game since Jan. 24. Pettersson scored back-to-back goals for Belleville to extend the lead to 3-0 and 4-0.
Oskar in the slot 💪 https://t.co/0VzWq5Fcoy pic.twitter.com/mLOdWnp2Sk
— Belleville Senators (@BellevilleSens) April 5, 2025
2. Wyatt Bongiovanni
Throughout this season, Wyatt Bongiovanni has been one of Belleville's best prospects. Against Rochester, Bongiovanni showed why.
Bongiovanni scored two goals in the win to record his first 20-goal season in the AHL. Bongiovanni's 30 points this season are now the fifth most on Belleville's roster.
Bongiovanni recorded his fourth multi-goal game of the season. In a game Belleville needed one of its best goal scorers, Bongiovanni came through.
Wyatt with his 20th of the season 🤌 https://t.co/MHAb0ezjMA pic.twitter.com/J8RgmAKjyG
— Belleville Senators (@BellevilleSens) April 5, 2025
1. Leevi Merilainen
Goaltender Leevi Merilainen is one of the top prospects in Belleville with how solid his NHL tenure was this season in 12 games. After allowing in four goals on 17 shots in his last start against the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday, Merilainen bounced back strong.
Merilainen recorded a 20-save shutout for his fourth shutout in the AHL this season. Along with earning a shutout, Merilainen earned his 15th win of the season and lowered his goals against average to 2.36.
Belleville will return to action tonight against Rochester with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at CAA Arena.