Kaliyev's Shootout Winner Lifts Belleville Senators Past Utica 5-4 After Comets' Rally

Belleville delivered a dramatic finish at the Canadian Tire Centre, surviving a third-period rush from the Utica Comets and prevailing 5-4 in a shootout on January 18, 2026. The win came courtesy of Arthur Kaliyev's decisive shootout goal after the Comets clawed back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime.

Utica struck first when a turnover sprung Xavier Parent, who walked in and beat Mads Sogaard for a 1-0 lead. Belleville answered quickly as Keean Washkurak finished a slick passing sequence to knot the game at 1-1. Nathan Legare restored the Comets' advantage shortly thereafter, but the second period belonged to the Senators. Tyler Boucher tied the game, Xavier Bourgault capitalized on a rebound to make it 3-2, and Stephen Halliday threaded a play that set up Kaliyev for a 4-2 lead heading into the third.

The narrative shifted in the final frame as Utica showed the resilience that defines many AHL rosters. Legare struck again to cut the deficit to 4-3, and Brian Halonen pounced on a late scramble to force overtime. Neither side could break the deadlock in the extra period, and the shootout ultimately decided a game that featured momentum swings, skill plays, and high-stakes finishing.

From a performance standpoint, Kaliyev once again proved his value as a clutch finisher in tight situations, finishing the night with the shootout winner that delivered both the two points for Belleville and reassurance for a club still building identity. Legare's two-goal night underscored Utica's offensive depth and its ability to produce key moments from secondary scorers. Belleville's balanced attack in the second period - involving Boucher, Bourgault, and Halliday - illustrated the Senators' forward depth, an asset for a development team that must blend winning with producing players for higher levels.

On the industry level, the contest reinforced the AHL's role as both development laboratory and standalone entertainment product. Games like this, staged at an NHL arena and decided by a shootout, convert casual viewers into engaged fans and give prospects live high-pressure reps that matter for NHL evaluation. For markets like Belleville and Utica, tight affairs increase local interest and strengthen the economic value of minor league hockey as family entertainment.

Culturally, the matchup highlighted how AHL teams create regional connections. The Senators traveling up to Ottawa played before a crowd accustomed to NHL hockey, offering players a moment in the spotlight and communities a weekend event that bridges pro levels. Socially, close games and dramatic finishes help sustain grassroots support for teams that rely on local loyalty and word of mouth as much as on-ice success.

For Belleville, the extra standings point provides momentum and a moral boost as the schedule grinds on. For Utica, the comeback shows character and suggests the Comets can compete in tight spots. Both clubs leave the Canadian Tire Centre with plenty to build on as the AHL season progresses.