In a high-scoring thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Belleville Senators managed to secure a dramatic 7-6 overtime victory against the Laval Rocket on April 10, 2026. Despite facing an opponent sitting at the top of the American Hockey League’s North Division, the Senators refused to concede, overcoming multiple deficits to preserve their playoff hopes alive according to the Belleville Senators.
The game was a volatile exchange of momentum, featuring 13 total goals and a series of rapid-fire scoring plays. While the Rocket appeared to have control for much of the contest, the Senators’ resilience culminated in a game-winning goal by Arthur Kaliyev in the overtime period. Kaliyev, who also scored the equalizer late in the third period, finished the night with two goals and two assists via RDS.
For the Laval Rocket, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow after a dominant offensive display. The team saw standout performances from Joshua Roy and Samuel Blais, who each recorded two goals, while Tyler Thorpe and Sean Farrell contributed a goal and an assist apiece via RDS. Although, late-game defensive lapses and turnovers ultimately cost the division leaders the win.
Early Momentum and a Scoring Frenzy
The action began immediately, with the Rocket striking just 1:25 into the game. Following an odd shot from the corner by Marc Del Gaizo, Joshua Roy found the puck and scored his 19th goal of the season to offer Laval an early 1-0 lead via Quinte News. The lead was short-lived, as Belleville responded less than two minutes later on a power play; a play by Philippe Daoust allowed Arthur Kaliyev to get a shot off, which was tipped in by Xavier Bourgault to tie the game at 1-1.
The second period saw the Senators briefly take the lead. On a two-on-one opportunity, Olle Lycksell assisted Tyler Boucher, who scored his 12th goal to make it 2-1 for Belleville via Quinte News. However, Laval responded with a burst of offense, scoring twice in less than 30 seconds. Samuel Blais tied the game at 2-2 after a deflection from a Tyler Thorpe point shot and shortly after, Thorpe scored his fourth goal of the season following a scramble involving Tobie Bisson and Luke Tuch to put the Rocket ahead 3-2.
As the second period neared its end, the Rocket extended their lead to 4-2 via a power-play goal by Sean Farrell, assisted by Luke Mittelstadt and Joshua Roy via Quinte News. Belleville managed to cut the deficit to 4-3 before the intermission when Scott Harrington found Lycksell, who finished on the backhand.
Third Period Drama and Overtime Conclusion
Laval attempted to put the game away in the third period, utilizing another power play to restore a two-goal lead. Sean Farrell created space and set up Sammy Blais for a one-timer, pushing the score to 5-3 via Quinte News. Despite the gap, the Senators continued to fight back, with Xavier Bourgault scoring twice to keep Belleville in the contest.
The Rocket managed to push the lead to 6-5 late in the game thanks to a goal by Joshua Roy, but the Senators’ persistence paid off. Arthur Kaliyev scored the crucial equalizer late in the third period, forcing the game into overtime via RDS. In the extra frame, Kaliyev struck again to secure the 7-6 victory for Belleville.
Coaching Analysis and Key Takeaways
Following the loss, Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent pointed to critical mistakes as the reason for the defeat. Vincent highlighted turnovers and lost one-on-one battles, particularly in front of the net, as the primary factors. He specifically noted that five scoring chances allowed in the second period—including a goal by Lycksell on a breakaway—were the direct result of the team “sleeping at the gas” (dormait au gaz) during turnovers via RDS.
| Category | Belleville Senators | Laval Rocket |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 7 | 6 |
| Game Result | Win (OT) | Loss (OT) |
| Key Performer | Arthur Kaliyev (2G, 2A) | Joshua Roy (2G) |
| Special Mention | Xavier Bourgault (Hat Trick) | Samuel Blais (2G) |
This match served as the first of a back-to-back series for the Belleville Senators, providing a vital boost to their playoff aspirations as they continue to battle through the AHL season via Belleville Sens.
The teams are scheduled to meet again for the second game of their back-to-back series. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the Rocket’s defensive struggles in the comments below.