(Xavier Bourgault celebrates the go-ahead goal that keeps Belleville in the playoff race. Photo: Laval Rocket)
The Belleville Senators kept their American Hockey League playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Laval but they needed some outside help as well.
Xavier Bourgault broke a 1-1 tie at 11:42 of the third period to give Belleville the lead in a must win game. The result leaves the B-Sens points out of 5th place in the North Division with two games left.
It was Bourgault’s 12th goal of the season.
Oskar Pettersson added his 8th of the season for Belleville.
The B-Sens went into the game needing to catch the Toronto Marlies however they beat Utica 6-2 to jump over Cleveland into fourth place.
 The Monsters lost 4-1 to Rochester leaving them the team Belleville needs to catch.
The B-Sens play Laval again Friday night at the Bell Centre before closing out the regular season at home against the Rocket on Saturday.
That game is almost sold out.