The Ottawa Senators blew a 3-0 first-period lead in the first game of the Martin era, but longtime Belleville forward Angus Crookshank had a night to remember.

Persistence pays off. 

Angus Crookshank, 24, has been a staple of the AHL's Belleville Senators for three seasons, putting up 26 goals and 47 points in 71 games with the B-Sens in 2022-23. 

No goal was sweeter than the one the fifth-rounder in 2018 netted on December 19th. Crookshank potted his first-ever National Hockey League goal in only his second game in Ottawa, roofing one by Yotes' goaltender Connor Ingram to open the scoring at 4:10 seconds of the first period. 

Crookshank would add four shots, three hits, and a block in a hard-fought 11:45 of ice time in his sophomore outing with the Sens. However, the struggling club would squander a 3-0 first-period lead, wilting to the pressure of Arizona in a frustrating 4-3 loss after allowing four consecutive goals through the final 40 minutes of play.

Crookshank has been a stabilizing figure in Belleville, putting up 10 goals and 21 points through 24 games in 2023-24. 

His tenacious style should endear him to new bench boss Jacques Martin, meaning the BC native could find a more permanent home in the Nation's Capital as the Senators look to find a winning formula heading into the holiday break.