Senators loan goalie Leevi Merilainen to AHL Belleville, Ullmark could be ready
The Ottawa Senators have loaned goaltender Leevi Merilainen to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League, the team announced Sunday.
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The Ottawa Senators have loaned goaltender Leevi Merilainen to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League, the team announced Sunday.
The move likely means starting goalie Linus Ullmark is ready to return from a back injury. He hasn’t played since Dec. 22.
Merilainen holds an 8-3-1 record, 1.99 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 12 games with Ottawa this season.
He recorded a 16-save shutout Saturday night as the Senators blanked the Minnesota Wild 6-0.
The 22-year-old from Oulu, Finland, has also registered a 7-2-2 record, 2.43 GAA and .901 save percentage in 13 games with Belleville.
Merilainen was selected in the third round, 71st overall, by Ottawa in 2020.
He made his NHL debut during the 2022-23 season, appearing in two games and posting a 0-1-1 record, 4.23 GAA and .878 save percentage.
The Senators (28-20-4) are third in the Atlantic Division and look to extend their four-game winning streak when they visit the Nashville Predators on Monday night.
