Weekly Recap: Double dose of overtime heroics leads Belleville Sens to a strong first-half finish

The Belleville Senators had a strong finish to the first half of the season last week, earning a pair of overtime wins sandwiched around a tight one-goal road loss. By collecting four points last week, the Sens have hit the American Hockey League All-Star Break just five points back of the playoff cutline, with five games in hand on the team they’re chasing, the Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning).

Belleville battled back from a pair of two-goal deficits to beat the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers) on home ice last Wednesday. Then, it split a home-and-home set with the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils), losing 1-0 at the Adirondack Bank Center on Friday and getting some payback with another overtime victory at CAA Arena the following night.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025: Belleville Senators – 6 vs Hartford Wolf Pack – 5 (OT)

It was a wild Wednesday Night at CAA Arena as the Belleville Senators came back twice from a two-goal deficit to knock off the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers) 6-5 in overtime. Six different Senators found the net, and Jeremy Davis had four assists, while Michael Simpson picked up his third AHL win in goal.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

Friday, January 31, 2025: Belleville Senators – 0 @ Utica Comets – 1

The Belleville Senators fired 37 shots on the Utica Comets on Friday night, but a game-breaking shutout performance from goaltender Isaac Poulter led the host Utica Comets to a 1-0 win. Mark Sinclair stopped 26 of 27 shots for Belleville in a stellar effort.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

Saturday, February 1, 2025: Belleville Senators – 4 vs Utica Comets – 3 (OT)

The Belleville Senators are heading into the AHL All-Star Break on a winning note, coming back three times in their game against the Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils) on Saturday night at CAA Arena to eventually win 4-3 in overtime. Captain Garrett Pilon scored twice, all-star defenceman Jeremy Davies tallied again, and Wyatt Bongiovanni netted the overtime winner, with Michael Simpson stopping 29 shots in goal.

GAME RECAP | BOX SCORE

Highlight of the Week:

Wyatt Bongiovanni’s overtime heroics helped the Belleville Sens to their second extra-time victory of the week, as they picked up a critical victory over the North Division rival Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils) last Saturday night at CAA Arena. Bongiovanni’s 16th goal (and fifth game-winner) of the season is our Highlight of the Week.

Transactions:

Jan.29/25 – #23 Cole Reinhardt (LW) – Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
Jan.30/25 – #18 Jake Chiasson (RW) – Recalled from loan by Orlando (ECHL)
Feb.1/25 – #18 Jake Chiasson (RW) – Returned on loan from Orlando (ECHL)
Feb.2/25 – #23 Cole Reinhardt (LW) – Recalled from loan by Ottawa (NHL)
Feb.2/25 – #31 Leevi Merilainen (G) – Returned on loan from Ottawa (NHL)
Feb.3/25 – #45 Mark Sinclair (G) – Released from PTO
Feb.3/25 – #18 Jake Chiasson (RW) – Recalled from loan by Orlando (ECHL)

Click here for a full list of Belleville Sens transactions.

Statistical Leaders

Points: 31 – #34 Stephen Halliday (11 G + 20 A) (T-3rd in AHL Rookie Scoring, T-3rd in Rookie Assists)
Goals: 16 – #5 Wyatt Bongiovanni (C) / #9 Angus Crookshank (LW) (T-8th AHL Goals)
Assists: 24 – #4 Jeremy Davies (T-6th in AHL Assists, 5th in AHL D-Assists)
Power Play Goals: 9 – #9 Angus Crookshank (F) (T-2nd in AHL PPG)
Plus/Minus: +9 – #21 Max Guenette (D) / #23 Cole Reinhardt (LW)
Penalty Minutes: 71 – #42 Hayden Hodgson (RW)
Goals Against Average: 2.43 – #35 Leevi Merilainen (G)
Save Percentage: .901 – #35 Leevi Merilainen (G)

This Week:

The American Hockey League All-Star Classic continues tonight in Palme Desert, California, hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken). The Senators will return to action with a pair of road games against the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres) and Utica Comets (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils), on Friday and Saturday. 

• Monday, February 3, 2025 – AHL All-Star Challenge presented by Spotlight 29 Casino – 9:00 p.m. ET (Acrisure Arena)
• Friday, February 7, 2025 – Belleville Senators @ Rochester Americans – 7:05 p.m. (Blue Cross Arena)
• Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Belleville Senators @ Utica Comets – 7:00 p.m. (Adirondack Bank Center)

Belleville will play a home game next Wednesday at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata against the Laval Rocket (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens). The Sens will then return home to CAA Arena on Friday, February 14, to face the Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs). The Sens will visit the Marlies the following afternoon in Toronto.

All games can be heard on the Belleville Sens Entertainment Network or seen on AHL TV on FloHockey.

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all 2024-25 Belleville Sens home games are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com, or at the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena during select hours.

Fans looking for details on other ticketing options can click the following links for more on  becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com.

The full Belleville Sens 2024-25 regular season schedule is available by clicking here. 

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