Power Play Goal Not Enough as Senators Drop 3-1 Contest
AHL Belleville Senators

Power Play Goal Not Enough as Senators Drop 3-1 Contest

Published on January 3, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Belleville Senators News Release


Belleville Senators battle the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Belleville Senators battle the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
(Belleville Senators, Credit: Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photorgaphy)

BELLEVILLE, ON - The Belleville Senators opened the New Year on home ice but fell 3-1 to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in their final meeting of the season.

The opening period began with a strong Senators power play; however, it was the Phantoms who struck first. Off a rush started by Oscar Eklind, Devon Kaplan fed Ty Murchison, who beat Mads Sogaard to make it 1-0. Just under five minutes later, Lehigh Valley added to their lead. Sustained pressure in the Belleville zone saw Zayde Wisdom deliver a quick spin-o-rama pass to Helge Grans, who scored his third of the year to give the Phantoms a 2-0 advantage.

That momentum carried into the second period as the Phantoms extended the margin. A turnover forced by Cooper Marody in the Belleville zone led to a pass into the slot for Jacob Gaucher, who buried his seventh to make it 3-0. The Senators generated chances, putting nine shots on net, but were unable to capitalize.

The final twenty minutes saw the Senators get on the board with the man advantage. A four-on-three power play opened up space as Olle Lycksell and Xavier Bourgault combined to set up a one-timer from Arthur Kaliyev, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Belleville continued to push, but could not complete the comeback.

This game concludes Belleville's season series against Lehigh Valley, with the Senators posting a 0-2-0-0 record against the Phantoms. This brings their five-season total to 4-5-1-0, posting a 1-1-0-0 last season.

The Senators have almost a whole week off before going back on the road for a game against the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) for their ninth battle of the year on January 9th with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Fast Facts:

#13 Xavier Bourgault has points in back-to-back games with an assist

#15 Olle Lycksell put together one assist

#33 Lassi Thomson registered three shots on net

#40 Mads Sogaard saved 24 of 27

#43 Arthur Kaliyev extended his consecutive point streak to ten games with one goal

Single-game tickets for the first half of the 2025-26 season are now on sale via Ticketmaster or at the Belleville Sens Box Office located inside the Quinte Sports & Wellness Ce

Check out the Belleville Senators Statistics

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Images from this story

Belleville Senators battle the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Belleville Senators battle the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
(Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photorgaphy)		   



American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2026


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